Officer-in-charge Cheryl Cranmer looks over police files at the Penn Township Police Department. Cranmer is not resting on her laurels; she’s pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice from Boston University.

PENN TWP — A familiar face to residents for over a quarter century, officer-in-charge Cheryl Cranmer of the Penn Township Police Department will soon be heading into retirement.

The township’s board of supervisors officially approved her resignation and retirement papers at its meeting on Tuesday, June 9.

“For the past 26 years, the Penn Township Police Department has been my home,” Cranmer wrote in her resignation letter to the board of supervisors, which was read aloud at Tuesday’s meeting. “It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the department and an even greater honor to serve the residents of Penn Township. Penn Township is a truly special place. However, everything has its time.”

“Cheryl’s been a great employee and officer in charge of the department and we're going to miss her,” said township Supervisor Doug Roth.

“What makes (Penn Township) special is that people know each other, people look out for one another and they trust their police department,” Cranmer said after Tuesday’s meeting. “It’s just a great community to work and it’s the people that make it so good.”

Unlike most police departments, the Penn Township Police Department does not have a “chief” — meaning Cranmer currently holds the highest rank in the department.

According to Roth, a new officer-in-charge for the police department has yet to be named.