A controversy has erupted in Collingdale, Pennsylvania, over the potential hiring of Chester police corporal Rhaheem Blanden as the new police chief, despite being under criminal investigation by the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office. The Fraternal Order of Police has raised concerns about his appointment, urging the borough council to pause the hiring process until the investigation is complete.
The Tuesday meeting in Collingdale ended early due to a heated debate surrounding Blanden’s candidacy. The FOP president, Chris Eiserman, expressed skepticism about Blanden assuming a position of authority given the ongoing criminal investigation. Council President Ryan Hastings assured that the selection process for the police chief would be fair and conducted in line with local laws and standards of diversity.
Blanden, who has 20 years of experience and a master’s degree, expressed his interest in the chief of police position but refrained from commenting on the specific investigation. Despite being the rumored candidate for the role, the final decision awaited the council’s vote at the end of the meeting.
As tensions rise within the community, calls to wait for the investigation’s conclusion before making any hiring decisions have been echoed. The outcome of the vote on appointing a new police chief remains uncertain, pending further information from the district attorney’s office. The Collingdale Borough Council faces a challenging decision with potential implications for law enforcement and public trust in the community.
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