East Union Township names new police chief
SHEPPTON – There’s a new police chief in one valley municipality.
Christopher Dimmick was named East Union Township Police Chief at a special meeting Wednesday night by a 2-1 vote.
Supervisors Chairman Kyle Mummey and Vice Chair Wendy Danchision voted yes, while Supervisor Jill Careyva voted no.
Careyva said Dimmick, a sergeant in the police force, was best for the job, but wanted to hold off on hiring a chief until the results of a survey by the Department of Community and Economic Development came back.
“Chris is the best,” Careyva said. “But we should wait for the outcome.”
The survey is not expected to be completed until the fall.
Following the vote to promote Dimmick, the public in attendance applauded.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’ll do my best to continue serving with honor, integrity, and doing everything I can for the residents of East Union Township,” Dimmick said.
He succeeds TJ Rentschler, who resigned earlier this year, followed by several other officers.
In other business, township supervisors voted to purchase a 2023 Dodge Charger for the police force.
The cruiser would replace an older Ford Expedition described as being on its last legs.
Dimmick said $12,000 had been donated to the department by the fire company, Cargill, and PF Nonwovens, much of which could be used for the cruiser.
The cruiser would cost around $39,000.
Supervisors approved the purchase 2-1, with Careyva dissenting. She questioned the need for a second cruiser with only one full-time officer. Mummey and Dimmick both noted that if the remaining cruiser, a 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility, were to go out of service, the force would be without a cruiser.
Supervisors also approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the police force for 2024 through 2028.
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