Brad Blanner has been named Acting Chief of Saint Clair Police Department.
Borough Council members unanimously approved a motion Tuesday to name Blanner, who holds the rank of Sergeant, to the post, temporarily spelling Chief William Dempsey.
In a separate action, council members approved placing Dempsey under the Heart and Lung Act.
Both Blannner’s appointment as Acting Chief and Dempsey being placed on temporary leave are retroactive to March 24. Blanner will receive a salary equal to that of Dempsey’s while he’s serving as Acting Chief.
The Heart and Lung Act grants temporary full salary, benefits, and medical coverage to police officers and other public employees who are injured on the job. It was not disclosed what caused Dempsey’s absence.
In other personnel moves inside the Saint Clair Police Dept., the Borough hired Neiko Eckley (pictured above, on the left, next to Blanner) and Tim Walsh as part-time police officers.
Eckley’s first shift was Tuesday.
Saint Clair has 6 full-time officers on its roster, including Dempsey, and 3 active part-timers.
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