Bethel Park hires new police chief

The former commander of Pittsburgh's busiest police district is Bethel Park's new police chief.

Bethel Park Council Monday night approved hiring Timothy O'Connor in a 6-0 vote. He was commander of Zone 5 for Pittsburgh police.

O'Connor starts Tuesday and will fully assume his duties April 1 with the retirement of acting Chief Dave Rogan.

District Magistrate Judge Ronald Arnoni swore O'Connor in after council's vote.

O'Connor said leading his own department has been a longtime goal. He said he was unwilling to commit to any changes immediately and wants to observe the department first.

He plans to stay in Bethel Park for many years, he said: “As many years going forward as my health will allow. And I'm in pretty good shape.”

“After it's all said and done, I feel we chose the best candidate in Mr. O'Connor,” council member Mark O'Brien said.

O'Connor transferred to Zone 5 in the East End shortly after the 2009 Stanton Heights shootout that killed police Officers Paul Sciullo, Stephen Mayhle and Eric Kelly.

Bethel Park, with a population of about 32,300, had just 31 violent crimes in 2012, the last year complete statistics are available through the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting system.

Eric Eisert is a freelance writer.