Pennsylvania Council of Chief Juvenile Probation Officers

Lancaster County Chief JPO Retires

After 30 years of distinguished service, David H. Mueller retired as the Director of the Lancaster County Juvenile Probation Department on February 14, 2020. Mr. Mueller joined Lancaster County’s Juvenile Probation Department in 1990 as an intensive drug and alcohol probation officer. In 1993, he was promoted to supervisor and, in 2001, Mr. Mueller was appointed to the position of Director by then President Judge Michael A. Georgelis.

Mr. Mueller stands out as a personable leader of Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system who leaves behind a considerable record of accomplishments. Several highlights of Mr. Mueller’s career are as follows:
    -Mr. Mueller continued the implementation of Balanced and Restorative Justice in Lancaster County, building on the foundation established by his predecessor as chief, Earl W. Stoudt.
    -Mr. Mueller advanced reforms in Lancaster County that focused on the development of community resources to reduce the use of out-of-home placement, including the establishment of several community-based probation officer positions, the use of a detention risk assessment instrument, and the implementation of an evening reporting center.
    -Mr. Mueller led Lancaster County’s implementation of the Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy.
    -Mr. Mueller was a long-time member of the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission Awards Committee, serving as the committee’s chair for three years.
    -Mr. Mueller was a long-time active member of the Pennsylvania Council of Chief Juvenile Probation Officers, where he served on the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Detention Ad Hoc Committee.
    -As Chair of the Chiefs Council’s Detention Ad Hoc Committee, Mr. Mueller led the development and implementation of a Statewide detention risk assessment tool, better known at the Pennsylvania Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (PaDRAI).
    -In 2007, Mr. Mueller was appointed to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee by then Governor Ed Rendell. He served on the Committee until his retirement.
    -In 2015, Mr. Mueller was recognized as the Chief of the Year at the annual James E. Anderson Pennsylvania Conference on Juvenile Justice.

Mr. Mueller holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Waynesburg University and a Master of Divinity from Missio Biblical Theological Seminary. Mr. Mueller will no doubt be busy in retirement with family and church-related activities.

Congratulations Dave !!!