Newly-hired police officer William Gardner shakes hands with Kennedy Police Chief Anthony Bruni. Mel Weinstein, treasurer and interim manager (left) and Chris DiNardo, commissioners’ president (right) stand at each side.Kennedy commissioners approved the hiring of William Gardner as a full-time police officer during their July 8 business meeting.
When he begins on July 24, Gardner will bring the department to a complement of 10 full-time officers.
Officials praised Gardner as an exemplary candidate who scored highly in all testing metrics.
“Mr. Gardner stood out from the very beginning,” Police Chief Anthony Bruni said
Gardner was accompanied by his father William Gardner, who serves as a State Constable in the Carnegie area.
“They’re a tremendous family with strong family roots in the area,” said Joe Kulik, township solicitor.
Commissioners had prepared to hire a second officer alongside Gardner, but the candidate turned down the offer shortly before the meeting, according to Mel Weinstein, treasurer and interim manager.
Weinstein said the township intends to continue efforts to hire an additional candidate.