Law Enforcement Conference Not Paid for By Borough

by Jonathan Weaver

Kittanning Borough Police Chief Bruce Mathews clarified a detail in regard to his recent attendance at a law enforcement conference in New Orleans.

During the first full week of April, Chief Mathews attended the International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Campus Responses
on behalf of Kittanning Borough, but it was not ‘on the taxpayer’s dime.’

“This was all paid for through a grant through HAVIN (Helping All Victims in Need),” Chief Mathews said yesterday.

Chief Mathews said other residents read an article Monday regarding his week-long experience before he did and were upset about local residents potentially paying for the expense.

The conference including various topics focusing on Ending Violence against Women, including several workshops for law enforcement officials.

“As a requirement with HAVIN for them sponsoring me for the grant, I have to attend at least one domestic violence conference or session,” Chief Mathews said. “Different workshops including grant money, management skills, reducing liability – those directly impacted the department where I could bring them back and put (those skills) to use.”

More than 1,800 officers worldwide attended the annual conference.

Chief Mathews attended the conference with County Detective Robin Davis, and plans to pass along management and grant skills he learned to the rest of the Kittanning Borough Police officers.