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Home > Blogs > West Chester News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > December > 01 > Entry
New chief to be appointed Tuesday
West Chester Trustees are expected to appoint a new leader of the township’s police department Dec. 2.
The decision could come nearly a month before the contract of the township’s current chief, Col. John Bruce, expires.
Trustees wrapped up the final set of interviews with the three candidates vying for the chief’s position Nov. 20, according to Township Administrator Judi Boyko. Boyko said it was trustees’ goal to have the process completed by the first meeting of December.
“I think we’re still on track for that, but the board still hasn’t made any formal decisions,” Boyko said. “The process has been completed with interviews with the Board of Trustees.”
Although a decision can be made privately, trustees would have to make the official appointment of the next chief during a public meeting.
Captains Joel Herzog, 40, and David Kelly, 44, and Lt. Erik Niehaus, 37, are being considered to replace Bruce, a 29-year veteran with the township, whose contract will expire Dec. 31.
Although he has not been asked to participate in the selection process, Bruce has expressed his support for two of the three candidates — Herzog and Kelly — because of their experience at the command level.
Bruce’s final months of his contract have been mired in controversy after trustees launched an internal investigation in late September into his hiring practices.
The investigation stated the chief advised Donald Gatliff, 27, of West Chester Twp., — his nephew by marriage — to omit a history of drug use and crime and to not disclose on his application he was related to Bruce and Bruce’s wife, Denise, who is the director of the township’s communications and information technology department.
Gatliff turned in his resignation to trustees on Oct. 28.
Bruce has denied the allegations, saying he was always aware of Gatliff’s background.
And despite a unanimous vote of “no confidence” taken by the West Chester police union Nov. 4, trustees have said any potential discipline of Bruce could lead to a costly court battle. As a result, Bruce has remained on the job.
That may change, however, at the meeting Dec. 2, especially if Bruce’s replacement is named. Trustees could place Bruce on paid administrative leave, terminate his contract or allow him to finish out his tenure as chief until the turn of the year.
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