Our Chief...

Sign The Petition to Keep Chief Chachi

Chief Anthony Paparo AKA “Chachi” became the Chief of Police for Yeadon Borough Police on January 8, 2018.  

Paparo and his wife, Christi, have four children Amanda, AJ, Justin, and Caitlyn and reside in Upper Darby Township.

Prior to his appointment in Yeadon, Paparo was a member of the Upper Darby Township Police Department starting as a patrol officer in 1985 and advancing through the ranks (Patrol Officer, Highway Patrol Officer, Detective, Detective Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain) and was the Captain of the uniformed Patrol Division and SWAT Team upon his separation from service with Upper Darby.   He has a broad range of experience in law enforcement with more than 35 total years of service in key areas including Motorcycle Highway Patrol, Hostage Negotiations, SWAT Operations, Homicide and Major Crimes Investigations, Fingerprints, Narcotics, Training, and Administration.

Paparo earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Delaware County Community College, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Joseph’s University where he was the recipient of the St. Joseph’s Criminal Justice Award for outstanding academic achievement. Paparo also holds a Master’s Degree from Liberty University for Human Services Counseling, and Business Management.

Paparo is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy where he had a leadership role as Class President and the Graduation Commencement Speaker. In addition to his formal education, Paparo has participated in Police Leadership and Executive Development, worked with the FBI Behavioral Unit in Quantico, VA, and has advanced training in SWAT Tactics, Anti-Terrorism Response, and is an Active Shooter (Killer) Instructor and Public Speaker.

Paparo is a member of the National and Pennsylvania Chapters of the FBI National Academy Associates and the 

National Tactical Officers Association, the Pennsylvania Homicide Investigators Association, DELCO Homeland Security 

Task Force, the 5-County Anti-Terrorism Level B and Regional SWAT Teams, the DELCO Safe Schools Task Force, 

and the DELCOMajor Incident Response Team.

Chief Paparo has been the recipient of over 100 Awards and Commendations for acts of Valor, Bravery, Merit, Life-Saving, and Service. Paparo has been awarded a Citation for Valor from the FOP in 2014, the 2011 National Liberty Museum Award of Valor, the 2004 Marine Corps League Officer of the Year, and the 1995 Police Chiefs Legion of Excellence Award. 

He was the recipient of the Upper Darby Township Mayoral Award of Excellence in 1996 and 2004, and the Mayoral Service Awards for two consecutive years, 1988 and 1989. He has also received recognition by Delaware County Council for Outstanding Service in 2010 and 2012.

Chief Anthony "Chachi" Paparo came to the Borough of Yeadon in 2018 when our former Chief of over 40 years retired.  He had big shoes to fill and hit the ground running.  He immediately connected with members of the community and has served us very well.  He connected with our schools to redesign new police cars and badges.  He created a Police Chaplain program so residents would have someone to connect with if they needed.  He created the Citizen's Police Academy to allow the public an inside look into policing and allow high school students to do the same.  Chachi holds a monthly Coffee With A Cop and a Good Morning Yeadon segment where residents can voice come chat and voice concerns about the community.  He created and maintains a Love Garden at our community playground to create a way for people to build relationships with officers.  Chachi even makes house calls!  He's brought this community together like nothing we have ever seen.  In an era where police are often seen as the enemy, our Yeadon officers are allies. He's given his all to this community and should be recognized for his efforts.

Unfortunately, a new Council took office on January 3, 2022 and has their own sordid agenda to get rid of him because he is not "Black".  His race has never been an issue for anyone in this community - his character has.  One of these Councilors was so emboldened, she offered his job to one of his reporting officers.  In response, the whole squad showed up in uniform to the swearing-in ceremony to show their support of him.  Yeadon loves Chief Chachi!  Just as we stand up for anyone being discriminated against, stand up for Chief Chachi and tell these corrupt politicians we will NOT tolerate racism of any form in Yeadon!!