Bellefonte set to hire new police chief for first time in nearly 20 years. ‘You deserve it’

Bellefonte is poised to promote from within to fill its top spot in the police department, the latest and one of the most significant steps in the borough’s attempt to rebuild what was a decimated unit.

Borough Council voted Monday to offer the police chief position to Bill Witmer, who has been the department’s acting chief since Shawn Weaver’s abrupt resignation in April. The vote was unanimous.

There was no discussion among council members before the vote was taken, though each of them applauded after council President Kent Bernier acknowledged it was unanimous.

“Young man, the reins are yours,” Bernier said. “You deserve it.”

The details of the borough’s upcoming offer to Witmer are unclear. Weaver’s annually salary was about $93,000 at the time of his resignation. Witmer’s salary as the department’s detective was about $84,000.

A Lock Haven University alumnus with about two decades of law enforcement experience, Witmer took over a small department in turmoil.

Weaver stepped down after leading the department for more than 18 years, one longtime officer retired and two officers resigned , including at least one who faced termination if he did not voluntarily leave.

In just the first four months of the year, 40% of the department left the force. Two full-time officers have since been hired .

When speaking at a public meeting in July, longtime officer Robert Holt Jr. told Borough Council that morale increased “considerably” under Witmer’s leadership.

“I think people are finding it a lot of fun to come to work lately,” Holt said. “It’s been going great.”

Once the quarterback and pitcher for Bellefonte’s high school teams, Witmer joined the department in November 2016.

He was also nominated for the 2018 Centre County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award and once drew praise from the FBI for his role in an investigation of a man a federal prosecutor described as a “ticking time bomb” who fantasized about bombs and guns.

His work prevented violent crimes that could have put people at risk, an FBI senior supervisory agent said in August 2022. He credited Witmer’s tenacity, diligence and dedication.

When speaking at the July meeting, Witmer said one of his goals was to motivate his officers so the department could maintain the status that taxpayers and borough leadership expect. He then credited each officer for their buy-in.

Witmer also pushed for the department to become more involved in community and active on social media , telling Borough Council the department would “attend every PR event that we can.”

He then touted his relationship with borough leadership and expressed appreciation for the support he has received.

“Thank you all for the support,” Witmer said. “I feel like you all have given me support in trying to turn this thing around and I think we have.”