Spring City Borough Council Nominates New Chief of Police

The Spring City Borough Council met for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday night. The big agenda item was the nomination of a new police chief. The council moved to nominate Arthur Brown of Coatsville for the position.

The vote was a unanimous "yes." According to Mayor Michael Weiss and council president Lou DiGuiseppe, Brown is still working part-time at the East Coventry Police Department. He also does work in other areas.

"Arthur has a full and diverse resume that makes him qualified for this position," said Weiss.

DiGuiseppe noted that Brown must accept the offer before he is awarded the position and that there is still a possibility he could still receive counter offers elsewhere.

"The Spring City Police Department faces several challenges during the coming years," said councilman Mike Hays in an email. Hays could not make the meeting. "The next leader of our department must believe in community policing 365 days a year. He must also develop an early strategy to boost officer morale, reduce turnover, and make Spring City an employer of choice among municipal police departments." 

Brown has worked in various law enforcement capacities in Chester County since 1975, according to Hays.

"He has been a patrolman in a small borough (Parkesburg), a chief of police (East Brandywine), a district judge, and more," Hays said. "I support the hiring of Mr. Brown as our next chief of police."

The council also moved to give current part-timer Brandon Unruh a full-time position as a police officer with the borough. Councilman Thomas Kratz also noted that by law Unruh must be offered the position first since he is on veteran status.

"So, it's a win-win all the way around," DiGuissepe said.

The appointment was approved unanimously. Unruh must accept the offer first and pass a physical and psychological examination before the approval goes through.

The police committee will not meet in September since the police chief will not be ready by Sept. 15.