Leechburg mayor picks Patrolman Jason Schaeffer to lead police force, at least for now

Leechburg Patrolman Jason Schaeffer is the borough's acting officer in charge, Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos confirmed Tuesday.

Dobos said Schaeffer has worked for the borough for about 20 years. He started as a part-time officer.

The other current full-time officer is Patrolman Mark Pollick. Part-time officers are rounding out the schedule, the mayor said.

“We are accepting applications for part-time officers,” Schaeffer said.

The borough's other full-time officer can't work because of a pending criminal trial.

That man, Leechburg police Chief Mike Diebold, remains suspended from the force without pay.

Diebold's status as chief “is up in the air,” Dobos said.

Diebold, 40, is accused of soliciting sex via the internet from a 14-year-old girl who actually was an agent for the state Attorney General Office's predator task force.

He was arrested in a sting Jan. 5 at a Lower Burrell Sheetz.

On Jan. 19, Diebold pleaded not guilty and waived charges to court. He is scheduled for formal arraignment in Westmoreland County Court in early March.

Chuck Biedka is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-226-4711, cbiedka@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ChuckBiedka.