McKeesport Area school board hires acting police chief after arrest

The McKeesport Area School District has appointed Raymond Andrekanic as the acting police chief following the arrest of the previous chief, Brenda Sawyer. Andrekanic, who has extensive experience with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Gateway School District, expressed his commitment to fostering community safety. His annual salary will be prorated to $85,000. Brenda Sawyer was arrested due to allegations of theft, accused of stealing significant amounts of money to support a gambling addiction. The charges against her include misappropriating funds from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics, where she served as the regional director. In addition to her role with the Bureau, Sawyer was also the president of the McKeesport branch of the NAACP, from which she is alleged to have stolen $50,000. These serious accusations have raised concerns about the integrity of leadership within the school district and the community at large. The school board's decision to hire an acting chief reflects a need for stability and trust in the district's law enforcement. Andrekanic aims to unite the community and ensure a safe environment for students and staff, addressing the fallout from the previous chief's actions and restoring confidence in the district's police force.