East Union loses another officer, forms committee to help hire new officers
SHEPPTON – East Union Township lost another police officer at Tuesday’s meeting, this time via resignation, and approved establishing a committee of experienced law enforcement officers to help find and vet new officers.
Officer Frederick Lahovski resigned from the East Union Township police force.
Following last month’s firing of Officer-In-Charge Doug Litwhiler, the department is left with two part-time officers: Marvin Livergood and Scott Michalesko.
Supervisors voted to form a committee of local retired law enforcement officers to help them interview and hire candidates, Supervisors Chairman Kyle Mummey said.
Mummey introduced the committee members as Gary Cardamone, a retired Philadelphia County chief deputy sheriff; Gary Shovlin, a retired federal law enforcement officer; and Jeff Turse, a retired Hazleton and Freeland police officer.
“They’re going to do the interviews and then they’re going to recommend the top three and then the supervisors will decide,” Solicitor Donald Karpowich said.
“We’re struggling, as everyone knows,” Supervisors Vice-Chairman said. “It’s statewide.”
Turse emphasized that his experience in small towns, including Beaver Meadows and Freeland, can help him vet candidates that can succeed in a place like East Union Township.
“There’s no training in a small department like this and that’s the biggest issue,” Turse said, adding that the state and federal government both offer free training. “We’re just trying to get you the candidates that are going to stay.”
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