South Allegheny searching for new police chief

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
South Allegheny’s administration is officially searching for a new chief for the district-run police force.
School board president Shawn DeVerse and directors Pete Miller, Dino DiFelice, Russell Geary, Tim Wackowski, Lou Borrelli, Amy Moranelli-Johnson and Troy Mitchell unanimously voted to accept the resignation of school police Chief Michael Merlino, effective immediately. Director Bryan Myers was absent.
Although he did not specify what department Merlino is going to work for, DeVerse said Merlino resigned from the position because he has taken another full-time job with a local police department.
Merlino, who was a longtime Clairton police officer, was sworn in as chief of SA’s police force on April 9.
With Merlino’s resignation, the district police department now has three full-time officers.
Immediately after accepting Merlino’s resignation, the board passed a motion permitting the administration to search for a new chief.
The board did not give a deadline for application, but DeVerse said the district will publicly advertise for the position.
The position is full-time at an annual salary of $55,000.

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