The Warminster Police Department recently celebrated the promotion of four officers, who were officially sworn in by Magisterial District Judge Christopher E. O’Neill, during the Board of Supervisors’ August meeting.
Andrew Houser was promoted to the rank of corporal. Born and raised in Lower Southampton Township, Houser lives there with his wife and two daughters. He graduated from Bucks County Technical High School and Bucks County Community College, where he earned an associate’s degree in police administration. He interned with the Lower Southampton Twp. Police Department and graduated from the Temple University Police Academy in 2010. Prior to joining the Warminster Twp. Police Department, Houser worked part-time for the Tullytown Borough Police Department and the Temple University Police Department. He currently serves as a highway officer, field training officer and department drone operator.
Joseph Santospago was promoted to the rank of corporal. Born and raised in Buckingham Township, Santospago graduated from Archbishop Wood High School and Mercer County Community College, where heearned an associate’s degree in criminal justice. He attended the Montgomery County Police Academy and began his law enforcement career with the Lansdowne Borough Police Department. Santospago joined the Warminster Twp. Police Department in 2019. He currently serves as a field training officer, highway officer, defensive tactics instructor and Bucks County narcotics officer.
Dennis Murtha, a third-generation police officer, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Murtha was born and raised in the Lawncrest neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia and attended St. William’s Grade School and Cardinal Dougherty High School. He graduated from Drexel University. Before joining the Warminster Twp. Police Department in 2016, Murtha spent 11 years with the Philadelphia Police Department, where he served in a variety of assignments, including patrol, tactical enforcement and narcotics surveillance. In Warminster, he serves in crime scene work and as a Taser and firearms instructor and hostage and crisis negotiator, among other responsibilities. Murtha lives in Warminster with his wife and eight children.
Meghan Wheatley was promoted to detective. Wheatley grew up in Springfield Township and graduated from Springfield Twp. High School. She attended Bloomsburg University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in political science. She also attended the Montgomery County Police Academy and joined the Warminster Twp. Police Department in 2019. In addition to serving as a detective, Wheatley is a tactics instructor and field training officer.
“Each of these officers has demonstrated the commitment, professionalism and leadership that we expect from members of the Warminster Township Police Department,” said Chief James Donnelly III. “Their promotions are well deserved, and I am confident they will continue to serve our department and our community with the same dedication and integrity that have defined their careers.”
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