Newtown Police Chief Anderson Officially Resigns, Lunn Appointed as Acting Chief

NEWTOWN SQUARE–The saga between Newtown Police Chief Dennis Anderson and Newtown Township officially came to an end on Monday evening at a Board of Supervisors meeting.

The supervisors unanimously accepted the resignation of Dennis Anderson at Monday's meeting and appointed Lt. Chris Lunn as the acting chief of the Newtown Township Police Department.

"As many of you know, Chief Anderson has not been acting as chief for at least since May 22nd," said Supervisors Chairman Joseph Catania. 

According to Catania, both parties have drummed up a settlement agreement with a confidentiality clause. The clause, said Catania, "basically deals with not getting into the chief's claims against the township or the township's claims against the chief."  

"Both sides are withdrawing those claims and settling their differences," said Catania. 

The supervisors unanimously accepted the settlement agreement between Anderson and the township involving his resignation. 

Anderson was paid–based on his salary of $100,000–during his time on administrative leave for approximately four months. The township has agreed to pay a portion–approximately $3,500–of his vacation pay. 

According to Catania, the chief's claims against the township involved the township's insurance company, said Catania. And a settlement agreement of $175,000 has been made from the insurance company, not out of the township's general fund, withdrawing from all claims.

A motion was made by Supervisors Vice Chairman Dr. Ross Lambert to appoint Lunn as acting police chief. The motion was approved unanimously. Lunn told Marple Newtown Patch that the change should be a smooth transition.

"The transition should be fairly simple," said Lunn after Monday's meeting. "I've already been performing most of the duties of the chief during that time."

The issue between Anderson and the township has created somewhat of a rift in the department.  

"It's been hanging over the department," said Lunn about the police chief issue. "I'm looking forward for the department to go back to business as usual. I'm ready to be chief."

Anderson was suspended from May 22 to June 22 with pay. Anderson had requested a hearing back in May to appeal the supervisors' decision. The hearing was postponed twice and then postponed indefinitely. .