Arnold officials voted to promote one of the city’s police officers to the rank of sergeant.
At the city’s May council meeting, police Chief Rob Haus introduced Officer Timothy Christian as the person who will be wearing sergeant’s stripes.
Haus said nobody has held the rank for years.
Christian is an eight-year veteran of the department but his law enforcement experience goes well beyond that.
“I’ve been a police officer for 22 years,” Christian said.
Before coming to Arnold in September 2018, Christian served on the Versailles Borough Police Department in Allegheny County as well as departments in Rankin, Clairton, Frazer and Verona.
Christian also is a career firemen with the Swissvale Fire Department, he said, and remains an active firefighter with the Seville Volunteer Fire Department in Ross Township.
Haus praised Christian in introducing him to the public.
“Over the years, Timothy has consistently demonstrated leadership, professionalism and compassion in every aspect of this job,” Haus said. “Whether it was helping citizens escape during the Arnold Manor fire, handling difficult and emotionally challenging cases, working a homicide scene, conducting traffic stops or simply helping reunite a family with their runaway dog, Timothy has always answered the call without hesitation.
“He is the kind of officer who would give the shirt off his back to help someone else.”
When the department struggled with being short-staffed, Christian worked “countless hours of overtime” and came in on his days off to make sure cases were properly completed.
In addition to his regular duties, Haus said, Christian took on the responsibility of being the department’s evidence custodian for the past 1½ years.
Mayor Shannon Santucci later administered the oath of office to Christian.