Detective/Sergeant Bill Kissner, a resident of Franklin Township, has announced his candidacy for Magisterial District Judge in Palmerton in the May 17 Primary Election. Kissner will cross file on both the Democratic and Republican tickets. He holds the required State Certification from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts to perform the duties of Magisterial District Judge.

Born and raised in Palmerton, Kissner is the son of the late William J. Kissner Jr., and Patricia Evert. Kissner is a 1984 graduate of Palmerton Area High School, where he competed in football (co-captain); wrestling, and track; he also attended St. John Neumann (formerly Sacred Heart School). He is a 1988 graduate of Lehigh Carbon Community College, dean's list 1986, with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and a member of the Criminal Justice Club. He is a 1990 Kutztown University graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, where he competed on the wrestling team and served as Tri-Captain.For the past 20 years, Kissner has been employed by the City of Bethlehem Police Department, currently as a Detective/ Sergeant supervising the Special Operations/Vice Unit. Over the course of his 20-year career, he received 17 letters of commendation for exemplary and outstanding service. He received numerous "Thank You" letters from community leaders and citizens expressing gratitude for his professionalism and care. He graduated from the Allentown Police Academy in 1991, serving as class Vice President and ranked third in his class.Over the course of his 20-year career, Kissner worked in the Patrol Division, Community Services Division, and the Criminal Investigative Division; for the past five-plus years he has been supervising the Special Operations/Vice Unit, focusing on drug offenses and gang activity. A career highlight was the recent conclusion of a three-year joint investigation with the FBI resulting in the arrest of 35 Latin Kings, members and associates. Kissner is a Regional Supervisor for the Northampton County Drug Task Force overseeing the City of Bethlehem, Lower Saucon Township, Hellertown and Freemansburg boroughs. He is a member of the FBI Lehigh Valley Violent Crime and Gang Task Force; the Department of Justice Route 222 Corridor Gang Initiative Task Force; FBI Safe Streets Task Force; Lehigh County Drug Task Force; PA Narcotics Officers Association; a certified SIRCHIE drug testing instructor and ACT 235 Lethal Weapons Certified. He was a 10-year member of the Emergency Response Team (S.W.A.T.), serving as a Team Leader for two years, a former certified instructor for the International Police Mountain Bike Association, winning a Team Obstacle Course Championship in 2003; and former

D.A.R.E. certified instructor. During his career, he presented, prosecuted and testified in over 1,000 cases at the Magisterial District Judge level.He is an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police Star Lodge #20, currently in his 16th year as a member of the Contract Committee serving as Chief Negotiator for four years, and held the positions of Guard and Pension Board member.He is a member of the Lehighton Lodge #621, F&AM of PA, and has been awarded the 32nd degree by the Valley of Allentown

A.A.S.R.M. He is a social member of the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, and the Blue Ridge Country Club.He has been married to Marlyn Kissner for the past 14 years; she is employed by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, and recently promoted to Executive Vice President of Regional Chambers, Councils, and Borough Business Revitalization.For more information, contact Bill Kissner at

kissnerforjudge@gmail.com.