PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) — After more than six months without a Chief of Police, Punxsutawney finally made the decision to hire one Friday.
Matt Conrad, who had applied for the position and was voted down at the August 10 council meeting, was hired at a special meeting Friday by a 4-1 vote. Conrad has been a borough police officer for three years.
Borough Council President Brian Smith called the special meeting.
Conrad, a Punxsy native, is a staff Sgt. in the U.S. Army Reserve and a veteran of Operation IraqiFreedom.
Conrad served four years of active duty as a Sniper Section Leader in a Long Range Surveillance company.
Conrad wants to bring stability to the force and expand training.
“I was excited to be named and it’s something I’ve been pushing for more than a year,” Conrad said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
In terms of training, Conrad wants to have his officers get outside training so they can teach skills to the borough officers.
“I think it’s very important and it will help us become more self-reliant,” Conrad said.
He is also looking to create more community outreach, a move Conrad believes will benefit Punxsy residents and the police.
Mayor Richard Alexander said he believes Conrad will do a good job.
“He has a lot of issues to deal with, but I think Matt will do a good job, given time.
“He has leadership abilities, is easy to talk to and can administer discipline when it’s needed,” Alexander said.
Punxsutawney has been without a chief since Feb. 26 when former Chief James Borza unexpectedly resigned.
In August, a motion to hire Conrad was defeated 3-2.
The force employs eight full-time officers and four part-timers.
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