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Redstone supervisors name police chief

By Miles Layton jmlayton@heraldstandard.Com kristen Brown for The 3 min read

Redstone Township supervisors have appointed a police chief.

Troy Rice, who has been an officer since 2009, was named to the position Wednesday, one month after the former head of the department, Norm Howard, resigned from the post.

Howard, who was a sergeant with the township’s force and functioned as the officer in charge, gave supervisors his resignation during their Sept. 10 meeting — held nine days after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.

Supervisor George Matis said Howard’s letter of resignation gave no reason why he was leaving, only that Sept. 14 was to be his last day.Howard, 42, was placed on unpaid leave after his Sept. 1 arrests for allegedly assaulting Amanda Orris, 26, at a Wards Road home in Grindstone. State police alleged that Orris had a broken front tooth and a bite mark on her shoulder. Howard was found with scratches to his neck, according to the police report.

Both Howard and Orris were charged with simple assault and harassment, and have preliminary hearings scheduled for Oct. 22 before Magisterial District Judge Wendy Dennis.At their Tuesday meeting, supervisors said they are confident in Rice’s ability to lead the three-person department

“Most importantly, the respect and responsibility that Troy carries is something we were looking for in this department. It’s a small department, but it’s mighty,” said Supervisor Chairman Larry Williams.

Williams swore Rice in as the new chief.

“I would like to thank the supervisors for their support in me,” Rice said. “My co-officers and I are going to strive to have a community-oriented police department, to not only make the supervisors proud but the community also. I want them to be able to call the Redstone police department their own.”

Matis said supervisors will look to fill the vacancy within the police department left by Howard’s resignation.

He said Rice and part-time patrol officer John Brant will be working more hours to fill in the gaps until the position can be filled.

In other news:

n Supervisors said township clean-up days will be held Monday through Wednesday. Clean-up will take place during regular pick-up days only. Items that will not be picked up include televisions, computers, tires, wet paint cans, auto parts, certain appliances and any hazardous wastes.

n Trick-or-treat will be held between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Oct. 25 for children under 12 years old. Children should be accompanied by an adult for their own safety and should stay within their own village. Anyone who is interested in participating is asked to turn on their porch lights.

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