Latrobe hires 2 police officers, OKs purchase of new handguns

Latrobe bolstered its police ranks Monday by hiring two new officers.

Joining the force and increasing the number of patrol officers to nine will be David Antal, a 2013 Kiski Area School District graduate, and Brady Sherback, a 2018 Greater Latrobe School District alumnus.

Antal will be joining the Latrobe force after working with the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department. Sherback has worked with local police in Scottdale.

“I’m happy to be here working in my hometown,” said Sherback.

“I’m very happy I was selected,” said Antal. “It’s been an honor. This whole experience has been very pleasant.”

With Ralph Jenko absent, council voted 6-0 to approve the officers who were recommended by police Chief Richard Bosco and completed the interview and testing process overseen by the city civil service commission, a panel of area police chiefs and council’s personnel committee.

“We really lucked out and got some incredible candidates,” said Bosco.

“I was very impressed with the two candidates who are now officers,” agreed Dr. Steven Selip, one of the three civil service commission members.

The hirings are the latest step in a reconfiguration of the department that began in February, with the promotion of Rob Daerr to the newly created position of captain. A retired state trooper, Daerr had served as the city department’s liaison to the Greater Latrobe School District police force.

City manager Terry Carcella said the new officers will begin patrols once they are released from their current departments and have completed required training at Latrobe. Each will be paid a salary of $55,150, as set in the city’s police contract.

Council approved purchase of 18 new 9 mm Glock handguns and accessories for city police, drawing upon federal funds Latrobe has received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). According to Carcella, the new guns are expected to cost $13,887 after trade-in of the department’s existing 40-caliber guns.

Daerr recently told council that the new guns feature “red dot” optical sights that should make it easier for officers to focus on targets. He said the new weapons also use less expensive ammunition, which should annually save the city $1,125.

Phone, carpet upgrades OK’d

Council also agreed to use up to $25,000 of additional ARPA dollars to perform maintenance on internal cameras at the city municipal building and to install phone system improvements for the city fire department and the offices of Greater Latrobe Parks and Recreation.

Council will use budgeted city funds to have new gray carpeting installed in council chambers by Stout’s Discount Carpet, at a cost of $15,285. The Murrysville firm submitted the low figure among three quotes that ranged up to more than $40,000.

The carpet replaces worn yellowish-brown carpeting that has been in place since the 1970s, according to Carcella. Wood laminate material will replace carpeting on the edge of the council dais at the front of the chambers.

Pension funds overpaid

Carcella reported the city will have to reimburse $16,000 the state overpaid to the city police pension fund in 2021 and 2022. He said incorrect amounts were received after two police officers retroactively changed their retirement dates. The money will be reimbursed from the pension fund.