Bethlehem looking at four internal candidates for its next police chief

Decision expected by Monday, mayor says

An internal search is underway for Bethlehem’s next police chief and a decision is expected next week, said Mayor Robert Donchez, who has accepted applications from four city officers interested in the job.

The job opened when former Chief Mark DiLuzio abruptly retired this month after reposting an offensive Facebook meme that mocked NBA players protesting police violence against African Americans. He then deleted it and apologized, saying he didn’t realize the offensive nature of its message.

The incident prompted a public scolding from Donchez, who elevated DiLuzio from lieutenant to chief in 2014. DiLuzio, who has said he planned to retire at the end of the year, announced his retirement five days after the incident.

A hiring committee that includes Donchez, city solicitor William Leeson, Human Resources Director Michelle Cichocki, Business Administrator Eric Evans and retired Upper Macungie police Chief Edgardo Colon will conduct interviews this week.

Third Class City Code requires Bethlehem officials to fill the position internally unless no qualified candidates can be found. It will be up to Donchez to recommend one of the candidates for approval by City Council, which will vote on the recommendation at its Oct. 6 meeting.

A letter went out last week inviting anyone with the rank of lieutenant, captain or deputy chief to apply. Applications were due Friday, Donchez said.

Since DiLuzio’s retirement Sept. 4, Deputy Chief Scott Meixell has assumed the role of interim chief. Meixell, a 17-year veteran of the department, became second in command last February.

Donchez did not name the four candidates for the permanent job.

Donchez is confident the police department already has qualified candidates whoknow the city. In addition, Donchez’s term as mayor ends in 15 months. He thinks it would be unfair to ask a national candidate to relocate right before a change in administration.

“I don’t believe weneed to go outside. There’s always room to improve, but we are not a police department that’s corrupt. We aren’t a dysfunctional police department,” Donchez said, noting the department is accredited at both the state and national levels.

Donchez was on vacation Tuesday and did not attend the City Council meeting.

“I think it’s important for the continuity of the department for everyone to be familiar with their new chief. I wish the committee all the best,” said Councilman Michael Colon, the nephew of Edgardo Colon.

Councilwoman Olga Negron previously told The Morning Call she thinks the city would be prudent to look beyond its own for leadership.

“This is a great opportunity to rethink how we police, and this might be a good opportunity to bring in someone from outside,” she said Sept. 4 when DiLuzio announced his retirement.

Councilwoman Paige Van Wirt said it’s most important to bring in a chief who is on board with creating a more diverse police force that can address the community’s concerns and work toward change.

While a person of color or a woman would offer some symbolic change, Van Wirt said during a Sept. 4 interview that can’t be the sole purpose for selecting an individual.

“This really is about finding the right person. They have to understand the issues and grapple with the issues and not just be a symbol,” she said.

The change in leadership comes at a time when national scrutiny of police is more intense than ever, with near zero tolerance by the public of any bad behavior. City officials, including DiLuzio, have been engaged with citizen groups to deal with complex issues of systemic racism, police conduct and social justice that cities across the country are addressing.

Esther Lee, a longtime civil rights activist and president of the Bethlehem NAACP, said her group was not consulted on the city’s search for a chief, but she believes hiring someone already in Bethlehem’s ranks would be best.

“I think communities ought to have police and their chiefs be more local,” she said, adding that most people in the community aren’t familiar with the city’s police officers, and hiring someone through a national search could add to that disconnect.

Lee hopes the city will include a member of the Black community on its hiring committee.