Now that it is more than a year since Lansford has been without a police chief, borough council has agreed to do a search aided by the state Chiefs of Police Association. This comes despite the recommendation by Mayor Hugh Vrablic that the police force’s officer-in-charge, Sgt. Shawn Nunemacher, be elevated to the chief’s position.

Although the police chiefs’ assistance will cost the borough $5,000, it is a good move since it will give the process the authenticity of a professional search, especially since there are some political obstacles about who should be the successor to Police Chief Jack Soberick, who retired in May 2022 after six years as chief.

The vote to get the statewide organization in the search was far from unanimous. In fact, it passed by the slimmest of margins, 4-3.

Among those voting “no” was Jennifer Staines, who has led the online campaign to have Nunemacher become chief, but based on her efforts and motions last month, the move did not seem to have any support from her colleagues. Her motion to name Nunemacher chief failed to win a second. According to her, a previous attempt to name Nunemacher failed by a 5-2 vote of council members.

Expressing similar frustration, Vrablic said his recommendation, sent through channels to the public safety committee early this month and before the monthly council meeting, did not get any official attention.

To try to force her colleagues’ hand, Staines began an online petition on June 1. At latest count, it had a modest 152 signers, only 15 more than it had in mid-June, but as council President Bruce Markovich points out this is not a popularity contest to see who gets the most signatures. There is an important process that needs to be followed to make sure that the borough gets the most qualified candidate it can for the salary and benefits it can afford.

If he chooses, Nunemacher can apply for the chief’s job, but apparently he will not get any special consideration even though he is the force’s officer-in-charge.

The petition argues that Nunemacher has demonstrated “exceptional leadership skills, dedication, and commitment to public safety.” The petition also says that Nunemacher is “well-respected” by his colleagues and members of the community and has built strong relationships with local businesses and residents, which has “helped foster trust between law enforcement officers and citizens.” Vrablic reiterated some of those positive qualities in his letter of recommendation.

In June, action was taken against Staines for an incident which occurred in mid-May. Because it is a personnel issue, council did not go into specifics, but it banned her from admittance to the non-public area of the borough business office, kicked her off the council committees on which she served, and the borough solicitor is investigating to determine whether other action is required.

Staines said the dust-up occurred because of a prank that she pulled on a borough office employee and claims the harsh action taken by her colleagues is retribution for her push to get Nunemacher named as chief. Council President Markovich has denied this allegation.

So the search is underway for a new police chief. Here is what the borough expects to get for its $5,000 payment to the Chiefs of Police Association for its assistance in the search process:

• Preparation of a “job announcement” for the chief of police position

• Job announcement emailed to members of Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and posted on the PCPA website

• Receive and screen resumes of applicants

• Assist with selection of candidates to be interviewed

• Prepare oral examinations

• Provide three qualified and experienced police chiefs to conduct, evaluate and score oral interviews

• Prepare and present examination results and make recommendations to Lansford Borough Council

• Provide one experienced chief to sit in on final interviews.

By BRUCE FRASSINELLI| tneditor@tnonline.com

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.