Darby Township's new police chief making history

DARBY TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- A Delaware County township's new police chief is about to make history just by taking office.

On Wednesday night, Regina Price will become the first woman to head up a local police department in the county.

It is a distinction, a responsibility, a job she's wanted her entire 30 year career in law enforcement.

Price comes to Darby Township from the Riviera Beach Police Department in Florida where she rose to the rank of Major.

"It's still a little surreal for me right now. It's starting to sink in. I am still on cloud nine right now with the whole selection process and actually being selected," Price said.

When she takes the oath, the mother of three boys will become a trailblazer as the first African American chief in the township, but that's not all.

"Quite naturally, it's the first female for the township and the first female for the county as a chief of police. It's not something that we were looking for, but it happened that way and we were really thrilled about that," Township Commissioner Richard Womack said.

"She had a lot of education. She has a lot of experience as a policeman," Township Commissioner Lawrence Patterson said.

Residents seem excited about the change and they have opinions about what they want their new chief to do.

"The main thing is drugs. We have a pretty big problem with drugs around all of Delaware County," resident Andy Curry said.

"Definitely positive especially with all the racial stuff that's going on like with the police," resident Susan Slavin said.

"It is tough being in law enforcement at this time given with what's happening nationally in law enforcement; there's a lot of relationships that have to be repaired within the community. I think I have a good handle on that. I think it's going to work well," Price said.

Price admits she doesn't know exactly what her priorities will be. She wants to get a feel for the department first. But she is an advocate for better training for police and she wants to improve ties between the department and the community.