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WEST CHESTER TWP. — Trustees this week are expected to appoint a new police chief, nearly a month before the contract of Chief John Bruce expires.

Trustees wrapped up the final set of interviews with the three candidates vying for the chief's position Nov. 20, said township Administrator Judi Boyko, who said it was the goal to have the process completed by the Tuesday, Dec. 2, meeting.

"I think we're still on track for that, but the board still hasn't made any formal decisions," Boyko said.

Captains Joel Herzog, 40, and David Kelly, 44, and Lt. Erik Niehaus, 37, are candidates to replace Bruce, a 29-year veteran with the township whose contract will expire Dec. 31.

Although he has not been asked to participate in the selection process, Bruce has expressed his support for Herzog and Kelly, citing their experience at the command level.

The final months of Bruce's contract have been mired in controversy after trustees launched an internal investigation over hiring practices in late September, which claimed the chief advised Donald Gatliff, his nephew by marriage, to omit a history of drug use and crime and to not disclose on his application he was related to Bruce and Bruce's wife, Denise, who is the director of the township's communications and information technology department.

Gatliff turned in his resignation on Oct. 28, and Bruce has denied the allegation.