Dormont Appoints Officer in Charge

After a discussion of what a new police chief would be required to enforce,  council appointed Sgt. Ralf Zawischa to fill the position of officer in charge of the borough’s police department.

Zawischa was appointed by a 4-0 vote during a special meeting held the morning of Dec. 30. Councilmen John Maggio, Drew Lehman and Eugene Barilla did not attend the meeting.

Before the vote was cast, Dormont Mayor Tom Lloyd asked council to consider removing from the motion a line that would require Zawischa to enforce efforts put in place by former acting Chief Richard Dwyer.

The items included but were not limited to keeping daily running sheets, officers walking a beat and patrolling.

“I don’t like the idea that you’re going to handicap him by telling him he should enforce Chief Dwyer’s chief memos,” Lloyd said. “There is no reason for him to have to be so restricted.”

Councilwoman Joan Hodson said she agreed with the mayor, and thought that requiring him to follow Dwyer’s memos would limit him. Lloyd said Zawischa asked him if he would be allowed to delete the items Dwyer had implemented.

Council Vice President Laurie Malka said the items council requested Zawischa to continue to follow were items council wanted to be put in place, based on what the community wants.

Councilman Williard McCartney, who was appointed earlier this month, asked to amend the wording of the motion to encourage—rather than require—Zawischa to continue upholding Dwyer’s efforts.

Dwyer resigned from the department, effective Dec. 14. Zawischa was the most senior sergeant available at the time, and has overseen the department since then.

Zawischa did not attend the meeting.