The career of Robert Martineau, 69, as McKees Rocks public safety director is coming to a close.

At last month's meeting, council approved a motion by Councilman Robert DiCicco to abolish the public safety director's position and hire a police chief to run the department.

The move is a complete reversal from January 1996 when the borough abolished the position of police chief and created the post of public safety director. Mr. Martineau made the transition between the posts by changing titles but remaining the borough's top law enforcement officer.

The public safety director's duties will draw to a close when the police chief takes over, probably by May or June.

The borough has advertised for a police chief and hired a consultant, Bill Gamble, to evaluate applicants and recommend candidates. Mr. Gamble specializes in police personnel management consulting for municipal governments

Council will make the final hiring decision.

This is the first time in the borough's 120-year history that the borough is using a consultant to assist in the hiring process for a police chief, said borough Manager Bill Beck.

"It's an important decision. We want to make sure we're doing it the right way," Mr. Beck said.

He added that Mr. Gamble has extensive experience in municipal police hiring and he will be assisted by two other law enforcement experts in selecting the candidates.

"It will be a triumvirate of professionals making the decisions," Mr. Beck said.

Among the qualifications are grant writing skills, computer literacy, 10 years of municipal law enforcement experience, five years supervisory experience and an associate's, or preferably a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

The new chief will supervise a department of eight full-time and seven part-time police officers.

Mr. Beck said he expects interviews to start in early April, and the final hiring decision to be made by May or June.

Director Martineau declined comment on the matter. Mayor Jack Muhr said Mr. Martineau is welcome to apply for the job of police chief, a position he held for five years.

Mr. Muhr said Mr. Martineau has 44 years of police experience with McKees Rocks. He began as a patrol officer and worked his way up to chief.

As public safety director, Mr. Martineau does not collect a municipal pension nor does he have civil service protection.

Whether the new police chief post will have civil service status remains to be determined, Mr. Beck said.

Mr. Muhr said an extensive study of the department by police professionals and an evaluation by the borough's municipal insurance carrier recommended that the borough switch back to a police chief.