Police Chief William Matthews said Friday he still plans on obtaining state certification (Act 120) as required by his contract. However, he also said the certification is not his top priority at the moment. Instead, his top priorities are crime and the internal aspect of the police department.Earlier this year, Matthews said he would work on certification at the end of the summer.
“It’s still on my agenda. I’m still working on the aspects of it,” Matthews said. “That’s an important thing that I have to pay attention to when I have time.”
According to the state, a police chief coming from out of state must be certified in Pennsylvania in order to be able to make arrests. If the chief attended a police academy that is comparable to Pennsylvania’s, then the chief only has to take criminal code exams, and not attend the police academy. Matthews, who was a police officer in Washington, D.C., may only have to take the written exam.
While the chief said he is still moving forward with his contract requirements, he also downplayed the importance of becoming certified. A police chief is not required by law to be certified and there are chiefs in Pennsylvania that are not certified and are strictly administrative, according to the state.
Matthews pointed out that the administration could remove the Act 120 requirement from his contract, but said he has not asked them to do so.
“They can change it if they want to,” he said.
Matthews went on to say, “I’ve been here for four months and we’re dealing with the agency, the proper size of the agency, the issues that are out there in terms of juveniles, formation of gangs, which is something we have to deal with right now.”
Before interviewing candidates, the police chief selection committee – put together by City Manager Harry Walker and City Council – drafted candidate requirements for the Coatesville Police Department’s top position. The requirements included that the next chief obtain state certification (Act 120) within six months of hiring.
However, the chief’s contract allows up to one year for him to obtain certification. While Matthews was appointed in April, his contract was not signed until May 22. -- JM
