Nov 7, 2016 2 min read

CARMICHAELS – A 23-year member of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police was hired Monday by the Cumberland Township supervisors to be the township’s new police chief.

James Vogel of Pittsburgh was hired following a four-month search to replace police Chief Craig Miller, who submitted his resignation in June indicating he wished to leave the post and return as a patrolman with the department.

Vogel is currently a sergeant with the Pittsburgh Police, with which he began his career in January 1994 as a police officer.

When asked about the qualifications that made Vogel the successful candidate, Supervisor William Groves pointed to Vogel’s resume. “Read the resume, it’s outstanding,” he said. “And his interview was very outstanding.”

The supervisors had interviewed seven candidates for the post, several of whom are current members of the department, Groves said. Vogel will be paid $22.20 an hour and receive full benefits. He will start Jan. 1. Supervisor Bill Nicholson abstained on the vote, saying he was unable to aattend the interview with Vogel

Vogel did not attend the meeting and could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

According to his resume, Vogel served in the U.S. Navy and has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Penn State University and a master’s degree in public policy and management from the University of Pittsburgh.

He has been a staff instructor for the Pittsburgh Police Training Academy and has served in the department’s Office of Municipal Investigations, Internal Affairs Division.

Vogel was named a Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Officer of the Year in 2015 and received the bureau’s Medal of Valor this year. He also serves as an instructor in law enforcement matters for a private company and for Penn State University, Fayette Campus.

The supervisors also voted Monday to make Miller a full-time township police officer at a pay rate of $19.20 an hour. The union rate for an officer is $17.50 an hour; Miller will receive an additional $2 an hour because he does not receive insurance benefits.

The change in Miller job will be effective Jan. 1. Asked after the meeting if he will continue as chief until that time, Miller said he didn’t know and the supervisors had not yet discussed that issue with him.