Several area municipalities welcomed new police chiefs into the fold this year.

Lehigh Township, Slatington, Walnutport and West Penn Township were among the municipalities to have new leaders for their respective police departments.

Lehigh Township

Earlier this month, Lehigh Township supervisors offered the police chief job to Sgt. John Henry, who has been acting officer-in-charge.

No salary for Henry was discussed at that time.

A 26-year veteran of the department, Henry stepped up at former police Chief Scott Fogel’s retirement resignation in August.

Fogel’s resignation came after months of public scrutiny and the township’s involvement in a $1.75 million federal lawsuit. Former township officer Jessica Edwards alleged in the suit that Fogel sexually harassed, physically accosted and retaliated against her during her five years on the force.

The township paid $275,000 in back wages to Edwards. Insurance covered the remainder of the settlement. Township officials did not admit wrongdoing as part of the resolution.

The settlement showed Fogel collected more than $13,000 in unused leave and will keep family health benefits through the end of the year.

Under the separation terms, Fogel remained on administrative duty status until his departure, collecting regular paychecks of $4,297.99 on July 10, July 24 and Aug. 7. He was prohibited from performing any police duties during that period.

On Aug. 7, the township issued Fogel a $13,080.82 check covering 195.5 vacation hours and 48 personal hours. Mandatory payroll deductions applied to the payout. The township also extended his family health coverage through Dec. 31.

The agreement, obtained through a Times News right-to-know request, further requires the township to provide only a neutral reference, confirming job title and dates of service. Fogel will also receive a retirement badge and identification.

The settlement includes a broad release of claims, with Fogel waiving any right to pursue legal action against the township.

Fogel had been chief since 2012.

Slatington

In March, Slatington Borough Council appointed William Borst as police chief. He was appointed acting chief in November 2024 when former police Chief Greg Winokur resigned.

Borst will earn $48.45 an hour plus full benefits which include medical, dental, vision, prescription and a retirement plan.

Before serving as acting chief, Borst was a patrolman with Slatington for 12 years.

In 2020, Borst was one of the officers honored by LVHN for helping ambulance personnel to deliver a baby boy when the mother went into labor and was not able to make it to the hospital in time.

Winokur was hired as chief of police after an executive session in February 2023. He came from the Bensalem Police Department, where he served as an administrative sergeant.

He began at Slatington at $95,000 per year plus benefits.

Winokur replaced former police Chief Dennis Long, who resigned in November 2022 for personal reasons.

Walnutport

In June, Walnutport Borough Council approved a new contract for Jason Nothstein as chief of police, which went into effect immediately, and runs through the year 2027, that includes $1 an hour salary increases in 2026 and 2027.

Nothstein was sworn is as new chief of police at that time.

The contract calls for Nothstein to receive $36 an hour ($74,880 annually) in 2025; $37 an hour ($76,960 annually) in 2026, and $38 an hour ($79,040 annually) in 2027.

Before that, Nothstein had been sergeant of the police department, and had been making a salary under $74,000.

Nothstein replaced former Chief Pete Wayda, who retired.

Nothstein has been with the department for the past 26 years.

West Penn

In January, West Penn Township supervisors reaffirmed to have Cpl. Jason Lorah fill the role of police chief.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said last December that Lorah would be police chief, at a rate of pay of $81,120.

Lorah worked for the department for years and retired with the rank of sergeant. He returned and was promoted to corporal in April.

The board also moved to have police Sgt. John Kaczmarczyk work as a full-time employee. As a part-timer, he had served as the department’s sergeant-in-charge since Bonner’s suspension.

Earlier this month, township officials noted that a trio of lawsuits filed against the township have proved costly after resident Shawn Phillips asked supervisors if the board had any update concerning Bonner’s lawsuit.

Township solicitor Paul J. Datte said the township has not settled Bonner’s lawsuit; however, his worker’s compensation is settled.

Phillips then asked about the lawsuit filed by Bonner’s wife, Carla Fritz.

It was stated that Fritz’ lawsuit is settled.

Prudenti said that between the three lawsuits filed against the township (including one by a current employee who got injured), the township’s workmen’s compensation dropped them.

As a result, Prudenti noted the only one the township could get into was the state program for workers’ compensation.

Bonner was suspended in September 2024 and subsequently terminated in October 2024.

Bonner was hired as chief in October 2021, but had worked for the township since 2016.

Bonner’s wife, Carla Fritz, had filed a lawsuit alleging the township violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and other federal and state laws while she was employed as support staff for the police department.

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. In it, Fritz alleged discriminatory and retaliatory actions made after she was diagnosed with anxiety led to her termination in October 2023.

In her lawsuit, Fritz sought several forms of relief, including back pay and benefits, compensation for emotional pain and suffering, and punitive damages.