Collingdale police face backlash over new chief hiring controversy

In Collingdale, Pennsylvania, a controversy has emerged regarding the potential hiring of a new police chief, Rhaheem Blanden, who is currently under criminal investigation by the Delaware County District Attorney's Office. This situation has sparked anger among some local police officers, particularly the Fraternal Order of Police, which has publicly expressed concerns about appointing someone facing such serious allegations to a position of authority. The council meeting to discuss this hiring was scheduled for Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m., and it was anticipated to be contentious due to the ongoing investigation. Blanden, a Chester police corporal with 20 years of experience and a master's degree, has expressed his desire for the position. However, he has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the investigation. The Fraternal Order of Police, represented by Eiserman, has called for the borough council to delay the hiring decision until the investigation concludes, arguing that it would be prudent to wait for the District Attorney's findings before making such an important appointment. The council's agenda included a motion to hire the new chief of police, which raised further questions about the appropriateness of moving forward with the decision while the investigation is active. Eiserman emphasized the need for caution, suggesting that if Blanden is cleared of any charges, the council could then proceed with the hiring without objection. As the situation unfolds, the community is left to grapple with the implications of hiring a police chief under investigation, highlighting the tension between law enforcement integrity and the need for effective leadership in the police department.