Jun 2, 2015 3 min read

East Washington hired a police chief during Monday’s council meeting, bringing an end to a period of uncertainty regarding the department’s future.

David Bradley, who has worked for the borough’s police department for 15 years, was brought on board as part-time police chief with a unanimous vote.

“I think it’s a great little borough,” Bradley said. “It was a position that I thought needed filled and needed a little bit of stability.”

Six candidates were interviewed for the position. The borough has not had a police chief since former Chief Robert Caldwell resigned in December, just two months after he was promoted within the department. Officer Ronald Miles has been serving as officer-in-charge during the interim period, and both Bradley and Mayor Michael Gomber commended him for his performance.

Prior to Caldwell’s promotion, Mark Griffith served as officer-in-charge. He retired from the department in July, citing health reasons.

In addition to the instability of the police chief post, council also grappled last year over a proposal to reorganize the police department and cut several part-time positions.

Three council members resigned last July, citing a “fundamental split” in the borough and disagreements over the future of the police department. Prior to that, council rejected plans to let Washington’s police force expand its enforcement into the borough.

Bradley said the borough’s decision to hire a police chief quashed any concerns about regionalizing the department.

“I didn’t want to see that department become regionalized,” Bradley said. “Even though it wasn’t talked about (recently), it was always being thought of.”

Bradley, 43, of Claysville, also works full-time for the Washington police department, a job he has held for 20 years. He said he will continue to hold that position. His salary and contract with East Washington are still being negotiated.

East Washington is frequently used as a thruway between the city and South Strabane, and speeding-related accidents are common, Bradley said. To address that issue, he wants to adjust officers’ schedules to allow a second officer to be dedicated solely to traffic enforcement during any given shift while another office handles regular duties. Currently, only one officer works per shift.

Gomber said he is pleased with council’s decision to hire Bradley.

“I think it’s fantastic,” he said. “We got a great guy, and the officers that are there love him because he’s been part of our staff for 15 years.”