Kiski Township supervisors to vote on hiring 2 police officers

The Kiski Township supervisors will vote on hiring two police officers during their meeting Wednesday.

Four of the township’s six officers and the police secretary quit last week over claims of harassment and intimidation, former Sgt. Thomas Dessell said.

The township supervisors hired a new police chief, Lee Bartolicius, last Wednesday. He and the Apollo-Ridge School District resource police officer have been the only two police officers staffing the department, according to Patrick Bono, township secretary and treasurer.

Previously, the township police force operated 24 hours, seven days a week, covering Kiski Township and North Apollo with three full-time officers and three part-time officers, according to Dessell.

Kiski Township’s police department phone had a message box that was full Monday and Tuesday.

State police are handling all emergency calls for Kiski Township and North Apollo.

When residents call 911, Armstrong County emergency dispatchers are patching the calls to state police in Kittanning.

Kiski Township Supervisors Sherry Tamski and Chuck Rodnicki confirmed that supervisors will vote on hiring two officers. Rodnicki added: “And hopefully more, subsequently, to get the department up to full staff soon.”

North Apollo Council President Ray Rusz also said Kiski Township officials informed him that supervisors will vote on hiring two part-time officers.

Bartolicius and Kiski Township Supervisor Dylan Foster spoke at North Apollo’s council meeting Monday evening.

Rusz said he extended a last-minute invitation for Kiski Township officials to discuss police coverage.

Rusz said he was impressed by Bartolicius and Foster.

North Apollo Council, however, voted unanimously to issue a letter to Kiski Township, notifying them that North Apollo could seek other police services in 30 days if Kiski’s police coverage issue isn’t resolved, Rusz said.

“We want to work with Kiski Township,” he said.

Related:

• 5 members of Kiski Township Police Department resign, claiming harassment, intimidation

• 'It’s a shocker.' Kiski Township residents want local police back

• Kiski Township police cite 'hostile work environment' in resignation letters

When North Apollo signed the three-year contract with Kiski Township for police services, there were three full-time and three part-time officers, Rusz said.

“The coverage is nowhere near what we expect and are paying for,” he said.

North Apollo pays Kiski Township about $4,300 a month for police services, he said.

Monthly payments on the contracts are suspended until Kiski Township’s police coverage is resolved.

Bartolicius and Kiski Township Supervisors Mike Bash and Rich Frain did not respond to requests for comment.

The Kiski Township supervisors will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the municipal building at 1222A Old State Road.