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Council authorizes mayor to pursue posting for permanent police chief after wide debate
Summary
After extensive debate about whether to keep an acting chief, the council voted to authorize the mayor to take steps to advertise and create a permanent chief of police position; supporters praised the acting chief's performance while others said advertising will test the market for candidates.
Council debated whether to retain the department's acting chief in place or to advertise a permanent chief. Supporters of the acting chief highlighted recent departmental improvements; others said advertising would allow the borough to find a long-term fit.
"Since this enactment, the department has flourished," said a council supporter summarizing officers' comments about Lieutenant Ranaghan's tenure as acting chief. Several council members said advertising the position does not obligate the borough to hire but would give the borough an option to identify candidates that might bring longer-term leadership.
A motion "to authorize the mayor to start taking the steps necessary" to post for the chief position was seconded and put to a roll-call vote; the chair declared the motion carried and said the mayor retains discretion about timing and whether to actually post. Council members agreed the posting would be an administrative step and that any hire would be subject to subsequent decisions and negotiated terms.
The council also discussed differences between an acting chief (who may be in the bargaining unit) and a permanent, salaried chief (who is not eligible for overtime and has different reporting relationships). No immediate change to departmental operations was ordered; the mayor and solicitor were asked to coordinate next steps if posting proceeds.
