Jefferson Hills police force has its first lieutenant

Jefferson Hills police officer Kevin King can add another title to his law enforcement resume: lieutenant.

Borough officials promoted the former sergeant to his new position earlier this month.

The department has 20 officers including the chief and King. There are four sergeants and 14 other officers. Everyone is full time. King is its first lieutenant.

“As the department has grown in size and complexity and the range of requirements to which it must respond, a more sophisticated administrative staff is required,” Chief Gene Roach said about the position. “Our collective goal and vision has not changed, which is to bring this police department to a distinguished level of performance.

“If we were to remain status quo in structure and design, we would be limited in our leadership and we progressively limit the opportunity for other leaders to emerge.”

King has been with the department since 2007. He was promoted to sergeant in June 2015.

King had served as a Dormont police officer for five years prior to joining Jefferson Hills.

“I have seen Lt. King grow significantly over my tenure here, 10 years as chief, first as an informal leader and then as a formal one,” Roach said. “He has progressively moved up in the department … Along the way he has sought out and been assigned to additional responsibilities.

”I expect him to be successful in his new role because of his good combination of technical skills and interpersonal skills, as well as the new challenges that always keep him motivated. This police department will become better with him performing in this role.”

King could not be reached for comment.