Fox Chapel officials have selected a longtime Swissvale officer as its new police chief.
Council voted 6-0 on Feb. 16 to hire Charles Ellis Watson as the borough police department head starting next month.
Council President Andrew Bennett was absent.
Watson, 54, of Monroeville was selected following an extensive nationwide search led by Dailey Operation Consulting.
At least 20 people applied for the position and nine were interviewed. Council interviewed candidates Jan. 22.
Council Vice President Harrison Lauer said Watson was highly recommended, has extensive experience and strong references.
“Ellis has a very impressive resume and qualifications for this position,” Lauer said. “He served in law enforcement in Swissvale for well over two decades and 15 years as leadership and the past seven (years) as the chief of police there. He impressed us in the interviews. The candidate’s supported by compelling recommendations.”
Lauer also referenced the consulting firm’s report that highlighted Watson’s collaboration skills as well as his professionalism, judgment and fiscal responsibility among other things.
Resume and background
Watson grew up in Monroeville and graduated from Gateway High School in 1990.
His start in public service was about four years prior when he joined his father, Todd Watson, as a Monroeville firefighter.
The elder had been a firefighter since the early 1970s.
“I came up with that public safety background,” Charles Watson said. “I think it was an excellent background for what I do in law enforcement. People who are in the volunteer fire service gain a lot of experience (to how you respond to emergencies) you can’t get any other way. It translates well to law enforcement because you want to help people.”
Watson also worked as an EMT for Penn Township Ambulance and other EMS agencies.
Watson started his law enforcement career in Swissvale as a part-time patrolman in 1998. He worked his way up the ranks to become chief in February 2018.
Swissvale and Braddock Hills police departments merged last year.
Watson was appointed in October to lead the Swissvale Braddock Hills Regional Police Department.
He is expected to leave the regional force March 13 and start in Fox Chapel on March 26.
His salary last year in Swissvale was $107,123. His new borough salary is $140,000.
Watson said he could not have made it this far in his career without the love and support of his wife, Kim, and their three sons, Ian, 26, Jake, 20, and Gavin, 17.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity and honored by the kind words they said,” Watson said. “I hope to live up to the high standards I’m sure they expect in a police chief.”
Return to service
Watson’s hiring means a return to service and rank for Sgt. Craig Sorg, who has served as interim chief for the past four months following the retirement of longtime Fox Chapel Chief Michael Stevens.
Stevens left the department in early November to become the regional supervisor of the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s Eastern Region.
Sorg, who was hired by Fox Chapel in September 1994 and became a sergeant in August 2021, said he was happy to have lead the department during the transition.
He was most proud of the traffic enforcement and training and morale boost.
Sorg said despite some disappointment about council not promoting from within, he hopes Watson will keep up the momentum.
“He seems like a great guy,” Sorg said Feb. 16. “Looking forward to working with him.”
Sorg and Foxwall EMS Chief Benjamin Shopland had a quick meet and greet following the council meeting.
Foxwall is Fox Chapel’s official ambulance provider.
Mayor Jonathan Colton believes Watson will be an asset to the community.
“Our Fox Chapel police have a long history of providing high-quality protection and service to our residents,” Colton said. “I have every confidence Chief Watson’s skill set and proven leadership abilities will enable our officers to continue doing so.”