John P. Durante, Sherrif
(1950-2010)
Sheriff John P. Durante has used his executive-command law enforcement experience and training to increase the professionalism and preparation of the Sheriff's Department to meet the public safety and law enforcement challenges of today.
Before becoming Sheriff, John P. Durante established the Forensic CSI Unit of the District Attorneys Office where he served as Commanding Lieutenant. Sheriff Durante has consulted for numerous federal, state, and local agencies including the F.B.I., the U.S. Customs Office, the U.S. Naval Investigative Services, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office, and many others.
He is a well-respected teacher, and has taught courses for the F.B.I., the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Naval Investigative Services, the U.S. Postal Services Investigative Division, and numerous state and county agencies. He also has taught for Temple University, Northwestern University, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathy Medicine (PCOM)
While Sheriff, he has attended training from the F.B.I., the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the F.E.M.A. Emergency Management Institute, the Consulate General of Israel in Philadelphia, in addition to other governmental agencies.
As Sheriff, John P. Durante has facilitated the collection of over $8 million in previously unpaid child support. He created the Southeastern Pennsylvania County Sheriffs' Warrant Joint Task Force which has drastically reduced the number of Criminal and Domestic bench warrants in our counties. He also has modernized the Gun Permit program in a manner that improves services and saves taxpayers money.
John P. Durante has obtained training and essential safety equipment for the Department at no cost to county taxpayers, and has made training, safety, and emergency responsiveness of his deputies top priorities. He has utilized computer technology to improve the efficiency of the Department and to provide the public with ready-access to important information. He also has improved the County Seat by deploying deputies to patrol the Norristown Business District at the request of Norristown Borough.