Robert McCluskie initially rejected a motion calling for him to serve as chairman of the Upper Perk Regional Police Commission. Eventually, he received a unanimous vote to fill that role.

        "We had to move forward," said McCluskie, a new member of East Greenville borough council. "We had to compromise."

        Two previous votes for commission chair, first for East Greenville Mayor Ryan Sloyer, then for Marita Thomson, ended in 3-3 ties during its initial meeting of 2016 at Pennsburg Borough Hall.

        "We all know Pennsburg borough and the police department were going to stonewall me," Sloyer said after the meeting.

        In between, McCluskie rejected a motion for his election to lead the commission. Following the tie vote for Thomson – in which all three East Greenville representatives, including the nominee, voted against the measure – Sloyer stood up and walked out of the meeting room. Thomson and McCluskie followed the mayor into the foyer.

        Vicki Lightcap, the Pennsburg mayor and previous chair running the meeting, asked Sloyer if he wanted a short recess. The East Greenville mayor answered affirmatively.

        "This is what I expected," Sloyer said.

        During the huddle, the trio decided McCluskie would serve as chair of the commission "so business can move on," according to the mayor.

        McCluskie, who served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, called his election to lead the commission a surprise and an honor.

        "I'm new to politics," McCluskie said. "I'll do what I need to do, work with everybody on the commission, to keep the department moving forward. I want to work hard to keep the Upper Perk Police Department strong."

        Kris Kirkwood, Pennsburg borough council president, was unanimously elected to serve as the commission's vice chair. Lightcap, whose nomination for the same position failed in a 3-3 tie vote, will serve as the treasurer.

        All three tie votes were cast along municipal lines.

        According to Sloyer, East Greenville council President James Young assigned McCluskie and Thomson – both of whom took office earlier this month – to the police commission.

        "It's good to have some new faces here," the mayor said after the meeting.

        F. Robert Seville, a former police officer and newly elected Pennsburg council member, participated in his first commission. Bruce Lord, the vice president of Pennsburg's council, and Tracey Hunsinger, who holds a similar position in East Greenville, are listed on Monday's meeting agenda as commission alternates.

        In other news, Vets for Vets founder Jake Leone thanked the entire police department for their support of his organization. Leone acknowledged the officers' efforts with a plaque.

        Also, police Chief Michael Devlin issued commendations to four of his officers. Det. Matthew Boaman and Ofc. Harry Fisher received a medical award for saving the life of an unconscious East Greenville resident in 2015.

        Cpl. James Lavin, Ofc. James McVeigh and Fisher were awarded a unit citation for quickly solving a burglary at Valley Beverage in Pennsburg in August.

        According to Devlin, the trio took a suspect into custody within a few hours.

        "That's extremely rare," the chief said.

        Devlin also identified the crime figures for December. The department responded to 20 reported crimes, two less than in November. Law enforcement officials responded to five thefts/motor vehicle thefts, three cases each of forgery/fraud/identity theft, assault/harassment/stalking and vandalism/criminal mischief, and two cases of public drunkenness/disorderly conduct.

        According to the chief, crime statistics in both municipalities in 2015 increased 1percent from 2014.

        Devlin reported that the Upper Perk Police Drug Task Force officers conducted 22 drug investigations in 2015, which led to the seizure of more than $102,000 in currency, 18.5 ounces of marijuana, 50 prescription pills and 205 bags of heroin and 58 grams of crystal meth.

        Vehicle accidents in both boroughs increased by 2.9 percent in 2015, according to his presentation. DUI arrests dropped by 38 percent from 2014 to 2015.

        Law enforcement officials handled 6,007 incidents/services in 2015, an 18.2 percent increase over the 2014 figures.