Politics & Government

Interviews to Begin for Public Safety Director Candidates

Local PBA supports the promotion of Capt. David Paprota to Chief of Police

The time to submit an application for Public Safety Director has closed and the township is currently examining applications, Township Administrator and Municipal Clerk Veronica Laureigh said.

Resumes for the position were accepted through Feb. 8. There were 20 applicants, Laureigh said. The township has yet to set a date to begin interviews of candidates before selecting a leader for the retired William Nally.

However, the township has not yet decided whether to go with a civilian public safety director, a police director or a police chief, promoted from within the department, Mayor David Most said.

Find out what's happening in Laceywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We just got the applications,” he said.

Reviewing applications for the position of Public Safety Director is part of the “vetting process” and the township will select the individual who is “most qualified” and the “best fit” for the job and Lacey, Most said.

Find out what's happening in Laceywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Most has previously said that those who applied for the position are “highly qualified.”

The sooner the township can make a decision, the better, he said, as the township doesn’t want a large time-lapse without a solidified leader.

A Public Safety Director would head the police department as well as all the emergency services. Interviews with officials from municipalities with a director acknowledge the position has limitations that may pose difficulties, although the choice to go with a director largely depends on the needs of a municipality at the time.

Since Nally’s retirement, Capt. David Paprota has been named Officer in Charge.

“The PBA (Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 238) supports the promotion of Captain Paprota to Chief of Police,” President Keith Pearce said. “Captain Paprota is well qualified and is already a leader as the top ranking officer in the police department.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here