West Reading Police Chief Post Remains Unfilled

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The president of West Reading Borough Council said Wednesday that council hopes to decide soon on who will lead the police force.

The statement from Kevin M. Conrad put the kibosh on rumors that council had hired a new chief Tuesday night.

“It’s been long, and I know people are getting very antsy about it, and I fully understand that,”  Conrad said by phone. “It’s an important position for the borough.  We’re not going to take chances on just hiring the first person.  We’re looking for someone that is going to have a future in the borough.”

The West Reading Recreation Commission met at borough hall Tuesday night.  By Wednesday morning, rumblings among residents were that council had hired a chief during a secret meeting.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=506790

Sources: West Reading Nears Police Chief Hire

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The West Reading Police Department could hire a new police chief as early as next week.

Interviews were conducted Tuesday with three final candidates, according to multiple borough officials and department sources.

The finalists were identified by sources as Reading Police Department Capt. Steven Powell, who heads the city’s patrol division; former long-time Wyomissing detective Dan Billings, now director of security at St. Joseph Medical Center; and an unnamed officer from the Philadelphia area.

Reached Wednesday, Powell and Billings confirmed that they had interviewed for the chief’s spot, but declined to comment further.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=492071

Search For New West Reading Police Chief Continues

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The search for a new West Reading police chief continues, with borough officials confirming Tuesday that they’re reviewing applicants to fill the position left open by former Chief Edward C. Fabriziani’s move back to patrolman.

“We’re moving forward,” Council President Kevin M. Conrad said of the hiring process, which he refused to put a timeline on.

Borough Manager Richard J. Sichler declined to say how many resumes had been received.

However, when reached after the meeting, Sgt. Keith Phillips, acting police chief, said that he had interviewed for the chief’s position.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=485593

Firearms Certification Lapse Puts 6 West Reading Cops On Leave

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  They sure are having one problem after another in the department!

Half of the West Reading Police Department, including the acting officer in charge, was placed on temporary administrative leave Thursday after it was discovered that the firearms certification for a department range instructor had lapsed.

Borough sources confirmed that six officers – five full-time and one part-time – were taken off the streets for the day as department officials worked to resolve the issue.

“Yes, I have officers who I have instructed the officer in charge that I do not want working until their firearms certifications have been updated,” West Reading Mayor Shane J. Keller said. “We have them scheduled (to be recertified) at 8 a.m. (today), so this will be taken care of relatively quickly.”

Keller declined to discuss who was at fault for the error.

Read more:   http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=457495

Fired West Reading Chief Coming Back As Patrolman, Sources Say

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  We think this is a bad idea…just sayin’.

West Reading’s fired Police Chief Edward C. Fabriziani will return to the force as a patrolman in a deal being ironed out by borough officials, borough sources said.

Fabriziani, who was fired in November, is listed on the patrol schedule starting in April to cover other officers’ vacations, according to borough sources.

Borough council is expected to vote on the matter either at its regular March meeting or at a special meeting.

Fabriziani could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=455592