N. Strabane officer promoted, named to new position
A seven-year veteran of the North Strabane Township police department with almost 20 years of experience in law enforcement was promoted last month to the rank of sergeant and appointed to the new position of administrative sergeant.
Sgt. Kris Wagstaff will assist police Chief Brian Hughes in a variety of administrative tasks.
“I told the supervisors that I appreciate their confidence in my ability to carry out the duties of the position,” Wagstaff said. “It is good to be part of this department as it moves forward.”
Hughes said Wagstaff was one of seven officers in the department to apply for the position. A consultant worked with Hughes and the township.
“Seven took a written exam,” Hughes said. “They then did a written essay.”
A panel of three police chiefs also interviewed the candidates. The panel graded both the interview and essay, while the consulting company graded the written exam.
“Kris came out on top,” Hughes said. “He is well qualified.”
A graduate of LaRoche College with a degree in criminal justice, Wagstaff is currently working on getting his master’s degree in public administration from Penn State.
“I am always looking to try to improve myself professionally,” Wagstaff said. “I felt it was time to move on to a position with greater responsibility.”
The new position is part of a reorganization of the department. Wagstaff’s responsibilities include background checks on new officers, internal investigations, maintaining various software programs, maintaining evidence and conducting field training with the officers. He also will supervise the patrol unit and the newly formed K-9 and traffic unit.
“The (K-9 and traffic) officer will primarily work daylight hours, but we will adjust the hours as necessary, based on the traffic complaints,” Wagstaff said. “The officer also will work on DUI patrols.”
Wagstaff also will oversee the school resource officer at Canon-McMillan Senior High School. Officer Eric Spicer is assigned to that post.
“Eric is doing a good job,” Wagstaff said. “He is certified to teach about a dozen classes to students in kindergarten through the 12th grade.”
Wagstaff will also continue to apply for grants. He made the successful application to the Ben Roesthlisberger Foundation for a $13,500 grant to purchase the department’s first K-9. He also wrote an application that was approved for a highly competitive grant for another school resource officer, but officials at Canon-McMillan School District opted not to participate at this time.
“There are not many grants available out there,” Wagstaff said. “But we will try to capitalize on those we find.”
Wagstaff will work on the process to obtain state accreditation for the department.
“It is the gold standard in public safety,” Wagstaff said. “Agencies try to attain that level to assure greater accountability and reduce liability.”