Crime & Safety

Ross Reinstated as Dormont Police Chief

Sgt. Phil Ross was reinstated as Dormont police chief at Tuesday's meeting.

Effective immediately, Dormont police Sgt. Phil Ross is the chief of the Dormont Police Department, according to Dormont council members.

In a move made by Councilwoman Onnie Costanzo, who was sworn in at Tuesday evening’s council meeting, council added a motion to the agenda to immediately withdraw the borough’s appeal of the civil service commission’s July 26 decision to reinstate Phil Ross to the position of chief. The demotion was unlawful and unwarranted, the motion read.

The motion passed by a 5-1 vote, effectively withdrawing the borough’s lawsuit and potentially reinstating Ross as police chief. Councilwoman Valerie Martino, who also was sworn in Tuesday evening, abstained from the vote. Councilwoman Laurie Malka voted against the motion.

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Sgt. Ralf Zawischa, who council appointed as chief at a special meeting held Dec. 30, will remain a sergeant in the department.


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