Changing of the guard
New police chief, two officers sworn in at council meeting
PHOENIXVILLE>> It was a changing of the guard for the Phoenixville Police Department as a leader officially took the helmand it added to new officers.
Police Chief Thomas Sjostrom and Patrolmen Paul Ansaldo and Peter Karpovich each took the oath of office at the March 15 borough council meeting. Council unanimously approved all three at its February meeting.
“I am proud of this police department and it’s an honor to serve as the new chief of police,” Sjostrom said after the meeting.
Sjostrom served as acting chief following former police chief William Mossman’s retirement in September.
Sjostrom’s salary per the contract is biweekly $4,557.69, which translates to approximately $118,500 a year. Council also hired Patrolmen Paul Ansaldo and Peter Karpovich to fill vacancies within the department. Full patrol salary is approximately $83,000 a year. The starting salary is 80 percent
of that. After a year it increases to 90 percent of that. Then after two years, they earn the full salary.
Sjostrom, a Minnesota native, is a 1984 graduate of Methacton High School, who served in the United State Marine Corps from 1984-1988. He has served in Phoenixville for 27 years, including the last 10 where he served as police lieutenant.
With the addition of the two new officers, the Phoenixville Police Department now stands at 30 members.