Cheswick's new representative on Allegheny Valley Police Department a familiar face

Only one person, a councilman whose term was running out, applied for appointment on the board governing the newly formed joint police department between Cheswick and Springdale Township.

Both communities merged their police departments in May 2019 to form the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department.

Each municipality has two representatives on the police department’s board. One of them, Cheswick Councilwoman Kathy Gillard resigned effective Tuesday.

After serving less than a year on the board, Gillard said she is stepping down to devote her energies to overseeing the borough’s public works department.

Last month, the borough announced Gillard’s resignation and asked for interested council members and residents to apply for the police board. Only one applied, Councilman Bob Kristof, whose term as councilman expires Tuesday.

He chose not to run for another term on Cheswick Council; however, he chose to sit on the police board. Council appointed him Dec. 18.

Kristof was involved in the merger and said he is proud of the outcome — consistent police coverage for both communities at a lower cost.

“It’s a very good agreement, and I look forward to continuing my public service with the police,” he said.

The borough’s other representative to the police board, Councilman Michael Girardi, said the merger will save Cheswick about $100,000 a year and will stabilize the quality of police service for both communities.

Merging the two police departments will provide a solid future for Cheswick, according to Gillard, Girardi and Kristof.

“We did something that will outlast us,” Kristof added.