Jul 9, 2013 By Susan Schmeichel 2 min read

Bethel Park Police Chief John Mackey ended his term as president of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police association by honoring those who made it possible for him to serve as the leader of the state organization.

“There’s no way I could have done it without their support,” Mackey said of Bethel Park municipal officials.

On July 8, Mackey presented municipal officials with the 2013 Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association President’s Award. The award, which the association gives annually, is presented to a group or an individual that the outgoing president feels has made a profound impact on his success, Mackey explained.

Mackey said other presidents have chosen to give the award to individuals such as judges or other police chiefs, but that he choose to honor the municipality because of the way the Bethel Park officials have always supported his endeavors.

“They gave me my first opportunity to be a chief,” said Mackey. “They have always supported everything I’ve wanted to do.”

Mackey, who has been chief of the Bethel Park department since 2000, is the first Bethel Park chief to become president of the 1,200-member state organization.

Before being elected president, Mackey served several positions within the organization and had been very active in the many initiatives in which the organization is involved.

Bethel Park Council President Tim Moury said that when Mackey first approached council members about serving with the state association, he assured them that his activities with the organization would not adversely impact his duties as chief.

Council members said they are extremely proud of their police chief and the recognition and honor he has brought to the community while always honoring his commitment to the people of Bethel Park.

In other business, council adopted a resolution requesting a Community Development Block Grant from the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development to make Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to the Miners’ Memorial Park.

Jerry Duke, municipal planner said the $5,424 project will provide a path between the handicapped parking area and the concession/ restroom facilities. The concession/ restroom facilities, a project funded by local boosters associations, was completed three years ago .

If the grant is approved, the municipality will pay 20 percent of the cost of the project, Duke said.