Lebanon police Chief Daniel Wright named head county detective
Lebanon police Chief Daniel Wright, shown here talking to City Council, was named Lebanon County’s chief of detectives. He will start that job on April 11. (Photo by Lebanon Daily News)
Wright replaces John Leahy who resigned in January
(Lebanon) — When Lebanon police Chief Daniel Wright announced two weeks ago that he was leaving the department after 30 years, he said it was to take another position that would keep him “relevant and around.”
At Thursday’s Lebanon County Board of Commissioners’ meeting, it became clear exactly what that position is: the county’s chief of detectives.
Wright, whose last day with the city is on Friday, replaces John Leahy who left in January to become chief of the North Cornwall Township Police Department. His first day in his new post will be Monday, and he will be paid an annual salary of $90,000.
As head of the county’s investigative force, Wright will work under the direction of District Attorney David Arnold, who told the commissioners that a number of qualified candidates applied for the position.
“We had several interviews with different candidates, all of which I thought were outstanding candidates, to be honest with you,” Arnold said.
Arnold said he knows Wright’s leadership abilities well, having worked with him for the past decade.
“He is a top-notch chief, a great police officer. I couldn’t be more excited to have Dan coming to work for us,” he said. “So, I think we are very fortunate that it worked out that way.”
Wright, who was not at the county commissioners meeting and was unavailable for comment, will lead a team of four detectives. Although one of those positions opened on Thursday, when it was announced that detective Sgt. Dominic Visconti has resigned effective April 16.
Arnold would not comment on whether Visconti applied for the chief’s position or if his decision to leave was related to Wright’s hiring.
“Dominic has his reasons for why he is resigning. I prefer to leave inhouse personnel issues inhouse,” he said. “I wish him the best. I can say that.”
A graduate of Cedar Crest High School, the 52-year-old Wright began his career with the Lebanon Police Department in 1985 after graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and attending the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.
He began his career as a detective, working undercover drug operation, and over the years, he rose through the ranks. In 2009, he was named to replace Bill Harvey as Lebanon’s police chief by then-mayor Trish Ward.
Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello has named Todd Breiner as acting-chief of the Lebanon police while a search is done to find a permanent replacement.
This article is part of a content-sharing partnership between Lebanon Daily News and WITF.
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