Uniontown’s new police chief settles into job
When former Uniontown police Chief Kyle W. Sneddon handed over the reigns of the Uniontown police department two weeks ago, he felt he left the city in capable hands with acting chief Ronald “Crow” Kozak at the helm. “I know that I am turning the station over to a good man,” Sneddon said. “I couldn’t have left the department to a better officer.”
Uniontown Mayor James Sileo has made that move official.
Sileo named Kozak, who has served in the city for almost 25 years, chief of police starting at a base salary of $44,000.
According to Sileo, he had several officers in mind for the position, all of whom he said are more than qualified for the post, but decided upon Kozak after Sneddon’s departure.
“I was flabbergasted when I found out Kyle was leaving,” Sileo said Friday. “He was a great leader and did a very good job. But I had to find a replacement and after looking at two or three guys I decided on Crow. It was a tough decision because they are all good officers. I love all the guys.”
Kozak was humbled by the choice.
“I actually always wanted to be a sergeant,” Kozak said Friday. “I always liked it because you were kind of in the middle. You are over some guys at the bottom but under some at the top. But then I was named captain and now chief. It is very exciting for me.”
Kozak was hired as a beat policeman in January 1982 and walked the downtown for about four years before becoming a patrolman on the east and west ends of the city.
Sileo said Kozak volunteered for the midnight shift, and worked it steady for about 12 years.
Kozak also served on the Fayette Central Drug Task Force, the first organization of its kind in the area, and made dozens of undercover buys that eventually led to the arrest of local drug kingpin Ronald Weathers.
And Sileo said Kozak served as the city’s first K-9 handler, working for almost seven years with his dog, Nero, during which time he visited numerous schools and talked to more than 25,000 children.
“I have a lot of faith in him, and I know he will do the city proud,” Sileo said. “He is a very good officer and very intelligent. I am depending on him and I know he won’t let me or the city down.”
Kozak said at the end of his second week as chief he already has a new found respect for his longtime friend and partner Sneddon.
“I had no idea the pressure and stress he was under until I was actually in his position,” Kozak said. “Now, every day for me is about two hours longer and I am getting called at home and I have a lot of big decisions to make and problems to resolve.”
Kozak said his leadership style is a little more laid back than Sneddon’s, something Kozak said has more to do with his energy level than a difference of leadership style.
“I am 11 years older the Kyle, so I am a little less energetic, but I have some big plans for the station,” the 57-year-old Kozak said.
Kozak said he intends to press over the coming months and years to increase the size of the police force, something he feels is necessary to combat rising crime rates in the city.
According to Kozak, Uniontown has seen more than a 400 percent increase in the volume of calls for service over the last two decades.
In 1982, the police department received between 3,000 and 4,000 calls each year, while fielding a 32-officer roster. This year, Kozak said the 16-officer force will handle about 15,000 calls.
“We need to add some officers so we can better serve the city,” Kozak said. “I’d love to be able to have an officer on foot patrol downtown during the day but we simply do not have the manpower now to do that.”
Kozak said he hopes to continue Sneddon’s increased training regimen for his officers and step up K-9 visits to schools.
“It is exciting and I have a lot to learn,” Kozak said. ” I don’t want to let anyone down, including my officers, but we have a lot to accomplish.”