Manor Supervisors Hire Police Officer

by Jonathan Weaver
Manor Township is back up to an eight-man police department.After an executive session and special meeting were held last week, Supervisor Chair Jim McGinnis and Supervisors Paul Rearick and Pat Fabian unanimously approved the hire of part-time hire of Frank Pitzer.

Pitzer, who lives in Ford City (Bethel Township), is known throughout Armstrong County as Area Coordinator for the Armstrong County Narcotics Enforcement Team, a Deputy Sheriff, and also an officer with the Ford City Borough Police Department.

Chief Michael Karabin and Sgt. Terry Bish recommended Pitzer’s immediate hire at the March regular meeting a week earlier due to his experience and to allow him to work as soon as April.

“I don’t think we’re going to lose him in the near-future. He’s not like some of these officers where you train them for six months, six weeks and then you lose them because some department hired them full-time,” Chief Karabin said March 5. “I think he’d be a great asset to this department. He’s well-liked by all of our guys.

Pitzer will serve a six-month probationary period before he receives the full hourly salary available to police officers.

Thursday, Sgt. Bish stood behind his initial recommendation and asked for Pitzer’s hire. He consulted the same during the executive session.

“I welcome Frank Pitzer to our department. I feel his qualifications along with his experience will be a valuable asset to the department and to the citizens of Manor Township,” Sgt. Bish said.

Fabian echoed the welcome to Pitzer based on his role with ARMNET and the Sheriff’s Department and looks forward to seeing Pitzer in a Manor Township uniform.

“I think his qualifications speak for themselves,” Fabian said.

In the past three months, the Manor Township Police Department has had two of its part-time officers resign, and Chief Michael Karabin heard rumors a third might soon also leave.

Former Officer Bill Rupert resigned in December a month before being sworn in as Armstrong County Sheriff and Officer Christopher Thiel resigned in February.

Pitzer was not immediately hired last week since he was not interviewed by supervisors.

Chief Karabin said Pitzer may be able to start patrolling the township as soon as April - after verification through the state Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission on his additional hiring – and would not need additional training to start.

Supervisors also agreed to send a letter to Ford City Borough Council requesting they pay half the cost to tar and chip Clark Street – which is located along the township line near the Ford City Junior-Senior High School football field and Sheetz gas station.

A letter was also sent in 2008, but Ford City officials reportedly said money was not available to assist at that time.

After meeting with Website Administrator Anthony Arduini last week, the municipality website got a makeover, with new tabs of information

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