Cumberland Township hires new police chief
CARMICHAELS – Cumberland Township supervisors decided to hire from within when selecting the township’s new police chief.
On Monday, the supervisors voted to hire police Sgt. Bryan K. Smith as chief to replace James Vogel, who resigned last week.
“He (Smith) has been employed here since 2012, and he knows the area very well,” Supervisor Bill Groves said. “He’s very organized, and we think he’ll do a good job.”
Vogel, a former Pittsburgh police sergeant hired by the township in November 2016, informed the supervisors he was resigning Aug. 23, Groves said. Groves declined to comment further on the resignation.
Vogel said Wednesday he turned in his resignation and would be taking a job with UPMC’s police force.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that has been extended to me,” Vogel said, adding he had a “fondness for the area. However, my family does not want to leave Pittsburgh. For me, family comes first. … I’m going home to my wife and kids.”
He enjoyed the people in Greene County served. Vogel said he was leaving the department in the capable hands of Smith, “who has my complete confidence.”
Smith, 29, who is originally from Greensboro and now resides in the Carmichaels area, gained the bulk of his experience in law enforcement with Cumberland police. He is a graduate of Mapletown High School and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy.
Smith joined the Cumberland police force in September 2012 as a part-time officer and became full time in January 2014. He was promoted to sergeant in May 2016. Smith also worked for a brief time as a police officer for Southeastern Greene School District.
Smith said he believes his work assisting former chief Craig Miller, whom he called a “great mentor,” and later Vogel, with administrative duties will help him run the department, which now has four full-time and six part-time officers.
Living in the county his whole life also will be a plus, he said.
“Growing up in the area and knowing the people, I believe, will help me along the way,” he said.
Smith, who started work as chief on Monday, said he is now getting acclimated to the position and is hoping to hire a new officer soon to replace one who is leaving in September.
He said he is looking forward to the new challenge and his goal is to run a good department. “We want to do the best we can for the community,” Smith said. Smith was hired at an hourly rate of $23.20.