Capt. Tim Linneman, the new commander of the 8th Police District, said his first few weeks on the job have been positive.
In meetings and interactions with community leaders and everyday citizens, Linneman believes residents of the 8th are supportive of the men and women of the district.
“One-hundred percent,” he said.
Linneman grew up in Chalfont in the Far Northeast. He attended Our Lady of Calvary Elementary School and Archbishop Ryan High School (class of 1994). He attended Kutztown University for two years, and worked at the old Shop n Bag at Knights and Woodhaven roads and in security at Franklin Mills mall.
In June 1998, he joined the Philadelphia Police Department.
Linneman’s dad and brother, both named Ken, are retired police officers. He also has aunts, uncles and cousins who are or have been on the force.
“It’s kind of the family business,” he said. “I always assumed it would be my career choice.”
Linneman, who holds a degree in business administration from Holy Family University, began his 22-year career by working in the 26th Police District for eight years. He also worked in the traffic unit. He was promoted to sergeant, working in the 6th and 26th districts. He began working in Internal Affairs in 2011, was promoted to lieutenant, then to captain last December. He had an assignment at the Roundhouse before receiving a call on June 15, saying he was headed to the 8th.
“I started the next day,” he said. “I was excited to be in charge of a district.”
Linneman, 43, replaced popular Capt. Adam Friedman, who was abruptly transferred to the Police Academy.
“Capt. Friedman was supportive in the transition and helped acclimate me about the responsibilities,” he said.
A Somerton resident, Linneman has been married for 16 years and has two daughters — 14-year-old Jessica, who will be a freshman at Ryan, and 8-year-old Allie, who attends Philadelphia Academy Charter School.
Linneman’s immediate supervisor is Inspector Frank Bachmayer, commander of the Northeast Police Division.
So far, Linneman has met with officers and supervisors and driven around the district, which consists of the area from Rhawn Street to the Bucks County border and Roosevelt Boulevard to the Delaware River.
“Geographically, it covers a lot of area,” he said.
Already, he has met elected officials and their staff, attended an 8th Police District Advisory Council meeting and hosted a captain’s town hall. The next town hall, open to the public, will be Thursday, July 30, at 6 p.m. at the 8th, at Red Lion and Academy roads.
Linneman, who pays attention to the police radio on his desk, said his overall goal is to help deter crime in the district.
“We hope everything stays quiet,” he said. “My officers are out there responding to 911 calls. I appreciate their hard work.” ••
