Apollo police force at full staff with hiring of two part-timers

Apollo Council has hired two part-time police officers that have served on the borough force in the past.

The hires are Danny Anthony and Steve Callipare. Callipare is a retired Vandergrift police officer.

After the departure of two officers in 2018 and last year , the borough has been advertising for new part-time officers since August.

They will work no more than 10 hours a week with a wage starting at $15.50 per hour, according to Mayor Cindee Virostek.

“They are probably going to work just one shift a week, and they’re happy with that,” said Virostek, who as mayor oversees the borough’s police force. She added that the police budget is tight and that there are financial limits on part-time work.

Before the new hires, the borough police force consisted of Dave Romagnoli, the part-time officer incharge, and Ronald Baustert, the borough’s only full-time officer, according to Virostek.

“We needed these two part-time officers for additional police coverage to protect the health and safety of the citizens,” she said.

Police forces from surrounding communities pick up Apollo’s 911 calls, and with the two new hires, there will be better coverage by the borough’s police department, Virostek said.