Ford City Police Chief Resigns – Part-Time Officer Promoted to OIC
Ford City Borough Mayor Jeff Cogley confirmed last week that Police Chief Roger Wright (on right) resigned August 15 to work as a full-time patrolman for Clarion Borough. (KP File Photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
Just as it did less than a year ago, Ford City Borough’s police department has lost its senior leader.
Last week, Police Chief Roger Wright resigned from Ford City in order to assume a full-time patrolman position with Clarion Borough Police, Mayor Jeff Cogley said in an exclusive interview with the Kittanning Paper Friday afternoon.
“Roger’s last day was (August 15),” Mayor Cogley said. “None of us wanted to see him leave, but it was financial and we really couldn’t compete with the offer they have.
“You can’t hold anything against a man that’s bettering himself financially and taking care of his family. Like I said, we hate to lose him but that’s the way it goes. We need to replace him and keep moving forward.”
Wright – who was promoted to Chief at the end of March – gave Ford City officials a two-week notice.
“(Wright) got us back on the right track. He got the department moving forward in a positive way,” Mayor Cogley said.
Ford City Police Officer Michael Greenlee was promoted to Officer-in-Charge and assumes all of Wright’s responsibilities until a new chief is hired. (KP File Photo)
He will be replaced temporarily by Officer-in-Charge Michael Greenlee.
Greenlee – who was hired by Ford City as a part-time officer in April – will assume all of Wright’s duties, including working full-time. That decision came from both Mayor Cogley and former Chief Wright.
“(Greenlee) has over 20 years of experience, been involved with multiple police departments and also has very good management skills,” Mayor Cogley said. “He was a very good choice.
“And I think Greenlee will pick up where (Wright) left off. We’re going to stay on the same path and maybe even improve until we get another chief in place.”
Mayor Cogley reiterated that even with Wright’s resignation, the overall goal is still to remain a 24/7 police department – evident with the dozen police officers still rostered.
Greenlee – reportedly a former Shannock Valley Police chief – has already applied for the vacant chief opening. Mayor Cogley hopes to fill the police chief position filled by the end of September.
By omgicantbelieveit, August 22, 2016 @ 10:05 AM
Good, it isn’t like Officer Wright did a good job anyway. Maybe Greenlee will do better.
By jorn jensen, August 22, 2016 @ 10:48 AM
This hop, skip and jump will continue in this post-industrial river valley until we realize that it is jobs, real jobs, that create wealth and prosperity - and then do something about it. It has a lot to do with how you vote.
Perhaps these public servants need contracts that must be fulfilled to lessen the hop,skip and jump syndrome?
By ktown_kid, August 22, 2016 @ 12:55 PM
So you get screw over the 1st guy and hire crooked wright. Crooked Wright leaves town and you hire sketchy Greenlee whom burnt many bridges. Kudos to the FC council for continuing the clueless leadership
By mutchka, August 22, 2016 @ 4:09 PM
Can we get some of this 24/7protection over to the race track
By mad-2010, August 25, 2016 @ 7:22 AM
Perhaps the know it all jeep needs some rest!
You are right mutchka, put the race track in check.
By mutchka, August 29, 2016 @ 12:56 PM
If we are going to maintain the 5th avenue racetrack we should use the 24/7 protection to arrest the school board for not mowing the grass. This is probably the only racetrack in America with grass 2 feet high