Upper Moreland Welcomes New Officer

Craig Bald is serious about law enforcement – and it shows. 

Bald, 29, of Conshohocken, who begins his first day as a probationary police officer for Upper Moreland Township on Tuesday, requires more than a little coaxing to smile. 

Perhaps growing up in a law enforcement household with a father who spent 30 years in the FBI has something to do with it. Or it could be Bald’s previous work at the Valley Forge Miltitary College, or his position as captain in the Marine Corps.

Bald, who graduated from the police academy in the top 5 percent of his class on July 17, said that out of all his training and law enforcement experience helping to police Upper Moreland Township “is the best fit for me.”  

The Upper Moreland Commissioners, who voted during Monday's meeting to hire Bald, seemed to agree that he was the best fit for Upper Moreland as well. 

"You were an outstanding candidate," Commissioner Lisa Romaniello said. 

Upper Moreland Police Chief Michael Murphy said Bald’s position would fill a vacancy created some time ago. With Bald on the force, Murphy said the department is one officer short of a full complement.

However, that position likely won’t be filled until later this year or early 2014 following a testing cycle in September. By then, Murphy said he expects two more departures through retirements.