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EBENSBURG -- In the first step toward building a stronger partnership with the state Attorney General's Office in prosecuting drug cases, Cambria County leaders agreed Thursday to hire a liaison to work with all levels of law enforcement.
"This is a position that I am requesting," Cambria County District Attorney Kelly Callihan said.
Callihan asked members of the county's salary board to create a task force liaison position to work with her office at a rate of $25 per hour.
The position will come at no cost to the county, she said, explaining a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant will cover the cost until March.
After that, it will be paid for by the Attorney General's Office, Callihan said.
"This is a position that is much needed," she said.
The liaison's goal will be to "aggressively" target drug trafficking organizations and those transporting illicit substances in the region, Callihan said.
Special attention will be paid to opioid drug distribution, which has led to widespread addiction and death in the Cambria County community, she said.
Callihan said the liaison will have the power to "investigate, arrest and prosecute individuals for homicide who are responsible for delivering opioids that cause the death of another person."
Salary board members voted unanimously to create the position. And a later vote at a Cambria County commissioners meeting appointed Arnold Bernard Sr. to the role.
Callihan said Bernard is uniquely qualified to serve as a liaison to local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as he has retired "with full service" from the FBI.
"He's the perfect candidate, and no one else could match his credentials or skills," Callihan said.
Commissioner Mark Wissinger agreed.
"It certainly sounds like this gentleman's background is pretty impressive," he said. "He can definitely help with the drug difficulties we're having."
Not everyone in attendance was as enthusiastic. County resident John DeBartola -- a longtime opponent of Callihan -- said it was his understanding that the creation of the liaison position would eventually lead to abolishment of the Cambria County Drug Task Force.
DeBartola criticized officials for making the decision at a time when the county is "riddled with drugs."
"What about the safety of our community?" he said, addressing commissioners. "You're in the middle of a drug crisis. How can you do this to us?"
After the meeting, Callihan spoke with reporters in her office, saying those concerns are unfounded.
"This not a dissolution," she said, explaining drug-related efforts would expand under the partnership.
Additional details about the county's partnership with the Attorney General's Office will be released before the end of the year, Callihan said, explaining it has been in the works since June.
"We are excited," she said. "Our drug and crime problem continues to grow. There are days where the battle seems insurmountable."
Current county drug task force operations will continue, with stronger support from state and federal law enforcement agencies, Callihan said, specifically mentioning grand jury proceedings, which she hopes will lead to more cooperative witnesses.
The partnership will be similar to arrangements the Attorney General's Office has with Blair and Centre counties, she said.
"This is absolutely the best thing for Cambria County going forward," she said.
Callihan said she is confident Bernard will be able to "step in day one and do this job."
Mirror Staff Writer Sean Sauro is at 946-7535.