3 new officers, 2nd police dog joining New Kensington force

New Kensington has three new officers and a second police dog joining its force.

While City Council approved hiring three new officers, Mayor Tom Guzzo swore in Max, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois, at the top of council’s monthly meeting Monday. Council approved hiring Christian Leonarski, Cory Rezak and Salvador Zepeda. They were among eight candidates presented by the city’s Civil Service Commission.

Leonarski, of North Apollo, currently works for Washington Township; Rezak, of Harrison, works for Arnold; and Zepeda, of Butler, works for Ellwood City, according to the city. Their ages were not available.

Each was hired conditionally, subject to physical and psychological testing.

Police Chief Bob Deringer said the three new officers will fill half of six vacant positions in his department.

Their starting salaries will be $52,535, which is 70% of the full-time wage of $75,050 they will reach after four years, according to city Clerk Dennis Scarpiniti.

Max, which Deringer described as “energetic,” is the department’s second dog, joining Deuce, also a Malinois. Deuce will be 4 years old in December.

The department acquired Max with a $20,000 anonymous, private donation, Deringer said. Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck provided $50,000, which paid for a new fully outfitted SUV for Max and his handler, Officer Jerry Hobeck.

Guzzo ceremonially swore in Deuce in August 2019. He was acquired with the help of the Officer Brian Shaw Foundation. Shaw was killed in the line of duty in November 2017. Deuce was named in honor of Shaw’s jersey number, 2, when he played soccer at Burrell High School.

The district retired Shaw’s soccer jersey number last week.

Sgt. Kevin Hess is Deuce’s handler.

Before Deuce, the department had not had a dog since 2007.