Trafford has its first police chief in a decade.

Though borough officials long have referred to Carmen Disso informally as chief, council last week unanimously ratified his promotion retroactive to Jan. 1. Disso, who has been with the department since 1998, previously was captain and officer-in-charge.

Despite Disso’s new title, borough officials will retain the power to discipline officers because the chief will remain a part of the officers’ bargaining unit, Mayor Rey Peduzzi said. Whenever Disso leaves the position, the rank of chief also will disappear from the department unless council makes other changes to the police personnel, he said.

Peduzzi, who has pushed for the new title, said he thinks the title of “chief” will command more respect than “officer-in-charge.” Disso leads a department that has three full-time and five part-time officers.

“He warrants being chief just on the basis of his performance as a police officer,” said Peduzzi, whose role includes oversight of the police department.

Disso, who did not attend the April 7 meeting for council’s vote, confirmed that his duties will remain the same as before being named chief.

“The change is, obviously, my title, which is nice from the standpoint of being recognized for what I do,” Disso said in an email.

Borough officials have acknowledged that Disso would receive a raise because of terms in a nearly finalized new police contract — which would run through the end of 2017 — but declined to publicize his salary or financial terms for other officers until the union approved the pact. Council voted on March 3 to approve tentative terms.

Peduzzi and Councilman Dennis Hockenberry, who is a member of the public-safety committee, referred questions about the contract to borough Solicitor Craig Alexander, who did not respond to messages about the terms.

Disso becomes the first Trafford police chief since David Bossar, who was suspended in November 2004 and fired in February 2006.

Hockenberry, who formerly was police chief in Pitcairn, said Disso’s place in the union gives him security that he wouldn’t have if he had a separate contract as chief.

“I think Carmen’s a good chief,” Hockenberry said. “I think he’s done a good job, and I think the town’s lucky to have him. The men like him, and he keeps them in tow.”

Chris Foreman is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-871-2363 or cforeman@tribweb.com.

Posted by Kris Cardiff on
Categories: News