Captain Dee Osterfeld has been named Washington Township's next Police Director, replacing Captain Pat Matheny who retired May 1. The new director was introduced to the public at the May 2 meeting of the Washington Township Board of Trustees.

Captain Osterfeld brings to her post more than 18 years of experience in law enforcement, all of them with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. A resident of Centerville/Washington Township for the past 14 years, she comes to the job with a thorough knowledge of the community she has been assigned to serve.

"I'm active in the community already. I know the township as a resident and as a parent," she said. She is particularly well acquainted with local parks - especially soccer fields - where her three children, ages 6, 13 and 15 spend much of their spare time.

Captain Osterfeld has had the opportunity to familiarize herself with her new position by working alongside Captain Matheny during her last four weeks. "I've seen that the township and the sheriff's office are very service oriented toward residents and are interested in their concerns. I intend to continue in that tradition of excellence," she said.

The new police director said she will maintain the township's emphasis on community-oriented policing and also will stress traffic safety. Increasing the use of seat belts, reducing speed in high-accident areas, and reducing the number of alcohol-related accidents all will receive high priority under her watch.

Another priority is keeping parks safe for families, said Capt. Osterfeld, noting that ample numbers of deputies will be assigned to bike patrol in those locations.

Before taking over management of the Washington Township Substation, Captain Osterfeld served as the Sergeant in charge of Road Patrol, a post she accepted in 2001. Her responsibilities included road patrol, traffic services, forensic services, the school resource officer program and the DARE program.

Captain Osterfeld joined the sheriff's office in 1986 as a corrections officer assigned to the Jail Division. She was promoted to Deputy in 1987, serving as a patrol officer and evidence technician. In 1995 she became a detective, first in Harrison Township and later in the Special Investigations Unit. She was promoted to Sergeant in 1999 and was assigned as a supervisor in the Jail Division before transferring to Road Patrol. She is a trained hostage negotiator and serves on the Hostage Negotiation Team.

Captain Osterfeld is married to Dan Osterfeld, a Centerville police officer for 22 years.