Rostraver police chief seeks district judge's post
Rostraver’s police chief is looking to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a district judge.
John Christner, 56, who has been the township’s police chief since November 2021, said he believes his experience as an officer for 35 years and the knowledge he has gained in all aspects of law enforcement would be an asset in serving as district judge.
“Whether it be the essential elements of a specific crime or probable cause to issue arrest warrants and search warrants, or the patience and understanding needed to preside over a landlord or neighbor dispute,” Christner said, he will be able to excel in a district judge’s responsibilities.
As a police officer, Christner said he has worked as an undercover officer with the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force, an instructor for the Drug Abuse Resistance Educator program at Belle Vernon Area School District and was a crime prevention practitioner. He said he initiated the Belle Vernon Area Drug Elimination Task Force to work in collaboration with the school district and other law enforcement agencies to identify and eliminate problems associated with illegal drug use.
Christner, a registered Republican, said he intends to cross-file so that his name also will be on the Democratic ballot. District judges are elected for a six-year term and are paid a salary of $98,565, according to a spokesperson for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Christner’s salary as Rostraver police chief is about $98,000.
Christner’s father, Charles R. Christner, has served as district judge in Rostraver since 1992, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Robert Casey to fill a vacancy. Charles Christner had been North Belle Vernon’s police chief when he was appointed to fill the vacancy. He is retiring from the position because he has reached the mandatory retirement age of 75.
John Christner will face competition in the May 16 primary from at least one candidate, Chris Huffman, an attorney who serves as South Huntingdon’s solicitor. Huffman previously was a solicitor for Rostraver.
The court serves Madison, North Belle Vernon, Sewickley Township, Smithton, Sutersville, West Newton and parts of Rostraver and South Huntingdon townships.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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