Police Administration

Chief Roca was born and raised in Allentown. He graduated from Louis E. Dieruff High School in 1993, and graduated from King’s College – Wilkes Barre, PA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1997. Assistant Chief Roca graduated from the Lackawanna College police academy in 2001.

Roca joined the Allentown Police Department in 2002 and was assigned to the 3rd Platoon. He was transferred to the Vice Unit and, after several years of conducting investigations in the Vice Unit, he transferred back to the patrol division, 2nd Platoon, upon certifying as a K9 handler with K9 Canto.

In April of 2012, Roca was promoted to Sergeant and served on the 4th Platoon, 2nd Platoon, and returned to the Vice Unit as a supervisor. Roca also served as the K9 Unit supervisor. In April 2016 Roca was promoted to Lieutenant and assumed command of the 1st Platoon. In August of 2017 he was transferred to the 4th Platoon. In April of 2018 he was promoted to Captain. Captain Roca is assigned to PSA 2, in addition to overseeing the 2nd Platoon. Captain Roca has also served as a member of the Crisis Negotiation Team.

In August 2020, Roca was promoted to Assistant Chief of Operations. Then, in June 2021, Roca was promoted to Interim Chief of Police. City Council confirmed Roca’s nomination for Chief in September 2021.

Assistant Chief Becker graduated from Panther Valley High School in 1998. He holds an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Lehigh Carbon Community College.

Becker joined the department in August 2006 and was assigned to the 1st platoon. He then worked center city patrol, on 4th Platoon night shift, before being assigned to the Police Academy in 2012 as the lead firearms instructor. In November 2013 he was promoted to Sergeant and was the Assistant Director of Training/School Director for the Academy.

In August 2017, he was assigned as a supervisor on the 4th platoon, then promoted to Lieutenant of the 4th Platoon in Sept 2018. He was promoted to Captain in August 2019 and assigned to Administration.

In February 2020, Becker took on the role of leader of the Criminal Investigations Division.  In July of 2021 Becker took over Patrol Captain responsibilities. 

In December 2021, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Operations.

Assistant Chief Becker has received Commendations for Valor, Bravery, and Achievement. He was a member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) for 10 years, half of which was as a Team Leader. He is also a combat veteran having served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

James Gress graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School and DeSales University.  In 1987 he attended and graduated from the Allentown Police Academy. He came to the Allentown Police Department in Spring of 2002 with prior police experience and was assigned to the Patrol Division with the 3rd platoon. In August of 2005, he was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division as a detective, and in late 2007 was assigned to the Office of Police Administration to oversee the department’s compliance with the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation program.

He also served as a 10-year member of the Crisis Negotiation Team and worked his way up to commander of the unit.  In February 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and from 2015 to 2019 he organized and operated the annual Citizens Police Academy Classes which introduced citizens to the world of policing.  In 2019, he developed and instituted the first ever Senior Citizens Police Academy to educate seniors about the latest scams and frauds and to give them a glimpse into the world of policing.  He also researched and implemented the latest technology through numerous state, federal and local grants, including the body worn cameras project.

In February 2020, he was promoted to Captain of Police Administration, overseeing the state (PLEAC) and National (CALEA) accreditation programs as well as the digital evidence unit and the Office of Professional Standards and in December 2021, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Support Services. He also helps as an instructor at the Allentown Police Academy and serves on the committee for the Municipal Officers Education and Training Commission to develop continued education for current police officers. He also serves as treasurer of the Police Athletic League Board and assists with fundraising activities for the Honor Guard and the K-9 Program.

He has received two Commendations:  one for bravery and one for the Crisis Negotiation Team as a unit commendation.  Additionally, he is a car enthusiast and is credited with creating the successful Classics and Cruisers Car Show which is held annually on Hamilton Street in the downtown Allentown.