Two new police officers hired in Uniontown
Uniontown City Council hired two full-time police officers – including the first female officer in the city’s history – increasing the ranks of the police department to 17, including the chief. Council unanimously approved hiring Jennifer Pounds, 29, of Connellsville and John Kauer, 43, of Greensburg at Tuesday’s meeting.
They will start Jan. 10 with salaries of $29,457.72 and serve a six-month probationary period.
Mayor James Sileo said the new officers were needed to fill two vacancies in the department and more officers could be hired in the near future.
“You never have enough police officers. We could have 30 officers and still need more, but we have to stay within our budget,” Sileo said. “We need them. I’ve very happy we were able to do this.”
A $50,000 federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. John Murtha and some money from the new $52 Emergency and Municipal Services Tax will be used for salaries and benefits, Sileo said.
Police Chief Kyle Sneddon said Kauer currently works with several municipal police departments in the county and is a member of the county’s drug task force.
Pounds does not have prior law enforcement work experience, but worked in emergency medical services.
Both have the Act 120 certification needed to work as a police officer.
“I commend city council and the mayor for acknowledging our manpower problem and taking a proactive approach,” Sneddon said.
The additional officers will help the department respond to its heavy load of calls, he said.
During their first three months on the job, they will be assigned to experienced officers who will serve as field training officers and work different shifts.
They will then shadow different training officers for another three months to complete their six-month probationary period.
Sneddon said the department is planning to open civil service testing for the positions of detective and sergeant.
The department’s detective resigned last year and one sergeant retired about two years ago. The city might hire another officer in the near future, Sneddon said.