“Council also recently approved an early-retirement package
for police officers including Chief Julius Canale. Simpson previously said that
the city would like Canale to remain as chief on a temporary basis, but
understands his desire to benefit from the buyout package. Therefore, council
will need to approve a contract with the chief to keep him on staff.”
MORE AT:
By ERIC S. SMITH
esmith@dailylocal.com
Posted: 06/04/12 12:01 am
I believe that Dominic Bellizzie would consider coming back
to the City of Coatesville Police Department. Maybe he’s tired of commuting to
Solebury Township from Coatesville.
Back in 2006 then District Attorney of Chester County Joe
Carroll had this to say:
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE OF CHESTER COUNTY
PRESS RELEASE
April 28, 2006
“I
am sorry to hear that Coatesville Police Chief Dominic Bellizzie will be
leaving his position to become Chief of Police in Solebury Township, Bucks
County. Solebury Township’s gain is Chester County’s loss.
Chief
Bellizzie did an excellent job in what is probably the most difficult law
enforcement position in Chester County. The police department in
Coatesville is understaffed and overworked, and has been for many years.
Despite those challenges, Chief Bellizzie and his officers have made
significant progress in improving the quality of life in the city since his
appointment. I have great respect for the accomplishments of the Chief
and the officers he leads, and was looking forward to continued progress as
Coatesville implemented an unprecedented redevelopment plan.
Although
I have not had a chance to speak to Chief Bellizzie about this recently, my
impression from prior conversations was that the constant rumors and
speculation in the media that his firing was imminent, and the lack of support
from Council for the chief and the department was a factor in his decision to
seek another position. In my opinion, Chief Bellizzie had opportunities
to move to what most people would consider more attractive positions on many
occasions, but he liked the challenge his position presented, and genuinely
cared for the people he served. However, it is extremely frustrating and
difficult to be effective in a situation where a chief does not know if he has
the confidence of his governing body, and does not know if he will receive the
resources and autonomy he needs to do his job correctly.
I
think that the resignation of Chief Bellizzie will have a very bad impact on
morale in the police department. The chief was a respected leader both
within the department and elsewhere. I will not be surprised if the
chief’s resignation influences other officers to seek employment elsewhere.
Coatesville
has an excellent police department, but the loss of Chief Bellizzie will be a
setback, and it will take time to recover. While there are qualified
candidates to succeed the chief within the department, their promotion will not
immediately replace the skills and experience Chief Bellizzie takes with
him. If a chief is hired from outside, there will be an adjustment
period. I am concerned, too, that it will be difficult to attract
candidates of Chief Bellizzie’s caliber to a position with so many challenges
at a time of political transition.
Concerns
notwithstanding, it is time to move on. It is my hope that Coatesville
City Council will take the steps necessary to ensure that they find the
best-qualified candidate for chief…”
More at:
http://dsf.chesco.org/da/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=621960
Former Coatesville Police Chief Dominic Bellizzie didn’t
want to leave the Coatesville PD. I believe he was forced out because they needed someone
who would support giving Richard Legree a supervisory part in the Coatesville
Police Department. Some people including
me were aware of this in 2005:
The article below is
no longer available on line. It is from my personal records:
Chester County Reporter
Story filed 10 January 06
________________________________________
Coatesville residents turnout to support Krack, Bellizzie
By Allen Davis
Staff Writer
9 a.m., 10 Jan 06
Coatesville residents crowded into City Hall last night wanting to know if
there was truth to reports that City Manager Jean Krack and Police Chief
Dominic Bellizzie are to be replaced in the near future.
"I don't respond to rumors," council President Kareem Johnson said.
Johnson would comment only that last night was the first time he had heard
council was considering creating a new superintendent of safety position that
would oversee the police.
Lt. Matt Gordon specifically asked whether rumors were true that Richard
Legree, a constable and former Valley police officer, was to be named
superintendent of safety.
"This is the first time I heard that," Johnson responded.
Council members Marty Eggleston and Ed Simpson both said last night they had no
problem showing public support for both Krack and Bellizzie.
Fifteen off-duty police officers, all in uniform, turned out last night to show
their support for Bellizzie whom has been credited with ridding the streets of
open-air drug markets and professionalizing the 32-man department.
Bellizzie was also supported by the Coatesville NAACP. "Chief Bellizzie is
my buddy. I don't want anybody messing with him," said Louise Hopkins,
president of the Coatesville NAACP. Bellizzie, who is white, is the first city police
chief to meet regularly with the NAACP over such issues as profiling.
"Without Jean Krack and his people (staff), you're going to set the city
back five years," said Elwood Dixon, a Caln resident but who owns property
in Coatesville.
Ricky Saha urged the new council members to work with Krack and his staff.
"I called Krack and said I was going to do anything I could to keep him
and others on," said Saha.
Ricky Saha is the son of Dick Saha who waged a six-year legal and political
battle to force the city to halt the city from using its eminent domain powers
to take his Valley Township farm for a golf course.
Johnson said all new council members are 100 percent for the city's
revitalization and he looked forward to working with the three council members
remaining from last year's council. ". . . but we're going to move
forward," he said.
Added council Vice President Robin Scott: "There is going to be change . .
. and some people are scared of change."
Johnson, Scott, Patsy Ray and Kurt Schenk were all elected in November. The
four defeated incumbents David Griffith, Bill Chertok, Carmen Green and David
DeSimone.
Last night Schenk implored residents to give the new council members a chance.
"Before you listen to rumors, give us a call . . . Please give us a
chance," he said.
________________________________________
You can write to Allen Davis at allen@chestercountyreporter.com