Nearly two years after the North Huntingdon police chief was fired, officials say they will begin the process of replacing him.

Former Chief Andrew Lisiecki worked as the chief of police until September when he was terminated from the position in a 4 to 3 vote by the board.  In the interim, Lt. Rod Mahinske has been acting as chief, but there was no official appointment by the commissioners board.

Currently, Lisiecki’s lawsuit, filed in the US District Court in Pittsburgh against the township and the four members of the board who voted in favor of his termination, is still unresolved.  He was asked for $300,000 and claims his constitutional rights were violated because he was fired in an act of retaliation because he testified against an officer who had been fired for gross misconduct.  According to the board, Lisiecki’s contract allowed for termination at any time for any cause.

The court has ordered Lisiecki, the board members, and others involved to attempt non-binding arbitration in March.  A mediator has been chosen, but no official date is set.  According to documents, details of the mediation will be confidential.  One attempt at mediation in December was postponed because both sides needed more time to gather information.

The newly elected president of the board of commissioners, Zachary Haigis, intends to hold talks with half a dozen other commissioners to discuss the needed qualifications in a chief.  Haigis hopes to post advertisements for the job position in mid-February.

At least one member of the board hopes that members of the current force will be given first priority in the decision, even though there is no official rule requiring preferential treatment for anyone.  Mahinske has stated he is interested in applying for the job.