Munhall Council appoints Jamie Catarino as police chief; one councilor abstains over interview process

Munhall Borough Council voted Aug. 19 to appoint Jamie Catarino as the borough’s new chief of police and administered the oath of office at the meeting. The council adopted the nomination after a roll-call tally of five votes for Catarino, one vote for another nominee and one abstention.

The vote followed a nomination made at the meeting. After the result was announced — "We have 5 for Mister Catarino, 1 for Mister Biden, and 1 abstention" — Councilman Brennan said he would abstain. "I have to abstain from this vote," Brennan said, adding that he supported Catarino personally but objected to how the council handled the final interview stage: "I think the process was wrong. I think we should have had a second interview."

Jamie Catarino then took the oath of office, affirming support for the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and swearing to discharge the duties of chief of police with fidelity.

Council members spoke briefly in praise of the appointment and scheduled a more public recognition later, when family and fellow officers can attend. The council noted the formal vote and ceremony as the next step in finalizing the department’s leadership transition.

No ordinance or other personnel action beyond the appointment was adopted at the time of the vote. The transcript records the nomination, roll-call count, the abstention and the oath; the record does not show additional formal conditions attached to the appointment.