New officer, police secretary hired in Kiski Township

Kiski Township continued rebuilding its police department by hiring a new part-time officer and a police secretary.

Supervisors approved hiring Anthony Mangee as a part-time officer at a starting rate of $21.25 per hour.

Also hired was Bethany Allera to serve as a police clerk two days per week.

The move brings the department to two part-time officers and full-time Chief Lee Bartolicius.

In early July, four police officers and a police secretary resigned from the force, citing a “hostile work environment” in the township in their resignation letters.

Bartolicius said he would like to hire another full-time officer pending a request to start a new officer at a rate of $27 per hour.

“We need to stay competitive with surrounding communities with officers’ pay,” Bartolicius said.

Supervisors are expected to act on that request Wednesday.

Supervisor Sherry Tamski asked why the positions weren’t advertised. Bartolicius replied that, in a second-class township, those positions don’t need to be advertised and the police chief has the authority to interview applicants.

During about a three-year period where the township was without a police chief, supervisors interviewed candidates for law enforcement positions.

Tamski voted against both hirings, saying supervisors should have a chance to review prospective hires.

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Tamski also said she didn’t know that a recently hired, part-time officer left the department until she read a newspaper report.

“I want to be notified,” Tamski said in a remark that was met by sharp, brief applause by many of the 30-plus residents in attendance.

Supervisors Chairman Mike Bash voted for the hirings, along with Chuck Rodnicki and Dylan Foster. Supervisor Richard Frain was absent.

Tamski also wanted to advertise for a part-time administrative clerk. Her request was tabled until Wednesday.

Bartolicius also asked supervisors to consider buying a new patrol car to replace a vehicle that has 90,000 miles on it. If the request isn’t acted on at Wednesday’s meeting, a vehicle being held at a dealership for the township’s use will be sold to another agency and the township would have to wait until early next year to buy a new vehicle because of supply chain problems.

Bash reminded a resident who asked about the affordability of a new police car that the state would reimburse the township.

Bartolicius also asked that a proposed set of improvements to the police headquarters include a 16-foot by 16-foot ballistic glass installation. Other improvements include updates to police restrooms and lockers.

The Kiski Township police department also serves North Apollo. Officials there were to meet this week to discuss keeping their contract with Kiski Township or looking elsewhere for police coverage.