Politics & Government

New Chester Borough Police Chief's Contract 'Not Ready'

Borough expects employment agreement to be finalized in mid-October; chief was named in mid-September.

While David Jara may be Chester Borough’s chief of police, he’s not completely official just yet.

Jara, who was chosen by the Mayor and Council in September, does not yet have a finalized contract, which was a major point of discussion at the governing body’s Tuesday night meeting, according to borough clerk Valerie Egan.

“(The contract) is not ready yet,” Egan said Wednesday. “But we expect all parties to sign and finalize it so it can be ready at the council’s next session.”

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Jara succeeds former Chief Andre Kedrowitsch who’s last day on the force was June 30 after 27 years of service. Jara and Sgt. Tim Carey were both interviewed and vetted for the position throughout the summer. The council made its choice public on Sept. 17. Jara is currently the longest-tenured police officer in the department.

This is the first chief’s contract the borough has had to draft since 2008, which was Kedrowitsch’s last accord with the municipality.

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His contract expired in 2010, and he went without one for his remaining two and-a-half years on the force, Egan said.

“It’s not necessary for the chief to have an employment agreement,” Egan said. “Once you become a chief you are no longer part of the Police Benevolence Association (a negotiating union) and are not required to have a contract.”

Kedrowitsch’s base salary upon retirement was $120,192. Jara made $112,000 last year including overtime. Details of the agreement between the borough and Jara were not divulged as the contract is not yet finalized. 


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