William Zalinski Announces Candidacy For District Judge |

SHAMOKIN – Recently retired Shamokin Police Officer and Drugs Task Force member William Zalinski of Shamokin has just announced his candidacy for district judge.

Zalinski says he is a lifelong citizen of Coal Township and has served as a patrol officer for the Shamokin City Police Department for twenty years. He says he has conducted numerous investigations, responded to 911 calls, and appeared in court frequently throughout his career.

Zalinkski has an associate degree in criminal justice from Luzerne County Community College and says his two decades of law enforcement experience make him unique for the office of magisterial district judge. If elected, he says he will work diligently to improve the quality of life for the people of that district.

Below is candidate Zalinski’s full announcement:

Sent by myself, William J. Zalinski, I hereby officially announce my candidacy for the office of District Judge for the Magisterial District on 8/3/03.

I am a recently retired police officer. I served as a Patrol Officer for the Shamokin City Police Department for twenty years (from 2002 to 2022). I also served as a Patrol Officer for the Mount Carmel Borough Police Department from 2001-2002. Throughout my career, I have conducted numerous investigations (including special investigative assignments as acting detective), responded to both 911 and police assistance calls, made criminal arrests and warrants, and appeared in court frequently. Throughout my tenure as a Police Officer for the town of Shamokin, I also served as a Drugs Task Force Officer for the Northumberland-Montour County Drugs Task Force. As an officer in the Drug Task Force, I investigated (through surveillance, overt and covert operations, and the enforcement of search warrants) violations of the Pennsylvania Health & Safety Act. I have also prepared detailed investigative reports, obtained and preserved evidence, and testified in court. Additionally, throughout my career, I have worked with numerous law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Marshals Service (US Marshals), Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Pennsylvania Inspector General’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, the Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office and all Northumberland County Municipal Police Departments.

In connection with my position as a police officer, I have attended various training courses and obtained numerous certifications including Detective & New Criminal Investigation; Top Gun (drug investigation); advance questioning and interrogation; street-level drug investigation; fingerprint and crime scene photography; management of critical incidents; Basic Swat School; and easy execution of warrants. I have an associate degree in criminal justice from Lucerne County Community College. My education, training, and over two decades of law enforcement experience make me uniquely qualified to serve as district judge.

I am a lifelong citizen of Coal Township/Shamokin and a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School. I am involved in local organizations including being a member of the Fairview Gun Club and the Union County Sportsman’s Club. As such, I have a vested interest in ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and taking steps to improve our community. I have seen crime rates increase and community values ​​and property integrity decline over the years. My goals are to restore the civil integrity of our communities through accountability, to ensure all parties are heard on a fair and impartial basis, and to practice fair decision-making within the law. My experience and knowledge of the legal system has also given me a degree of understanding that rehabilitation is appropriate in many circumstances.

I believe my education, training, law enforcement and courtroom experience make me the best candidate for District Judge for Circuit 08-3-03. If elected, I will work diligently to improve the quality of life for the citizens of this district.