Greenya to retire; Brommer named interim chief

Jack Brommer when he was hired in 1997

At a special meeting tonight, Columbia Borough Council appointed Sgt. Jack Brommer as interim police chief, effective June 1, upon the retirement of current Chief Joseph Greenya.


Greenya, who joined the police force in June 1974, has served as police chief since July 12, 1996 In 1980, Greenya was promoted from patrolman to sergeant and in 1996 was named detective sergeant.

Brommer, who attended the meeting, will celebrate his 15th anniversary as an officer in January, has been a sergeant for the last six years. He is the senior member of the force.

As a result of the promotion, Sgt. Brommer will receive a five percent increase in his base pay.

“Jack is an excellent officer,” said Mayor Leo Lutz.

Lutz said as soon as possible, Brommer will be removed from shift work to begin the transition.

“We are very pleased to see that Jack has agreed to accept this,”the mayor said.

Councilman Jim Smith, a former member of the borough's Civil Service Commission, hopes that Sgt. Brommer, will be able to change the force.

“I can say this (because of my role on the commission) that I have been disappointed in our police department for the last few years. We hired the best but they were not living up to their expectations and I know what these guys are capable4 of,”: Smith said.

“It is an honor for me that you (council) has the faith in me to do the job because this borough means an awful lot to me,”: Brommer said.

Also at the meeting, council approved beginning the advertisement for a permanent chief and authorized the Civil Service Commission to begin the testing process once the applications are received.

Brommer did say he'll apply for the permanent position.