Lansdale Chief Michael Trail Tapped To Lead Norristown PD After Shakeup
On Tuesday, August 13, 2025, officials announced that Michael Trail, the longstanding Lansdale police chief, would be the new top officer in Norristown after Jacqueline Bailey-Davis abruptly resigned.
Michael Trail, Chief
His start date is anticipated later this fall, and his official appointment is set for Monday, August 19. In the meantime, Lt. James Angelucci will continue to serve as acting chief.
Sudden Departure Of Former Chief
Less than a year into her job, on November 25, 2024, Bailey-Davis was put on administrative leave. On December 3, she discreetly resigned. Citing personnel confidentiality, Norristown officials never shared the specifics of her departure. Concern in the community and extensive local media coverage resulted from the sudden change in leadership.
Trail Chosen After Competitive, Transparent Hiring Process
Officials in Norristown started a thorough, open hiring process in response to public criticism. Ten of the 51 applicants made it past a Human Resources assessment, five were interviewed by law enforcement and municipal officials, and the remaining three were evaluated by the community at a public discussion held in Council Chambers on July 10.
Residents were given the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments during the event, which was livestreamed on the municipality’s YouTube account. The council and municipal officials then examined the comments.
Decades Of Experience In Law Enforcement
Trail joins the position with more than 30 years of law enforcement experience. Before joining the Lansdale Police Department in 2002, he worked for the Baltimore Police Department after starting his career in Morrisville, Bucks County. In 2018, he was appointed the chief of Lansdale.
In 2021, Lansdale Police Department obtained state certification under his direction. In addition, Trail is the leader of the Montgomery County Major Incident Response Team (MIRT), a 100-person regional team that assists with major emergencies.
He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and Tiffin University with a master’s. Additionally, Trail has finished executive law enforcement training via FBI-LEEDA’s leadership programs and the Police Executive Research Forum.
What s Next For Norristown PD
Trail will lead a department that serves more than 35,000 residents in 3.5 square miles, has around 60 sworn officers and dozens of civilian employees, and operates on a $16.3 million budget.
According to Council President Rebecca Smith, Trail was chosen because of his dedication to recruitment, trust-building, and community-focused policing.
“We are delighted to have him here in Norristown and are looking forward to his leadership in our community being guided by his experience and expertise,” Smith added.
