WILKES-BARRE -- For the first time in Wilkes-Barre's history, a woman will be wearing the badge of the city's police chief.
At a news conference at City Hall, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George named the members of his new administration. Among the sea of men was a woman: Marcella Lendacky.
"Lt. Marcella Lendacky will be acting chief," the mayor said.
She's the first woman acting police chief in the Wilkes-Barre police department.
"It's overwhelming and I am honored," Lendacky said. "I hope to take the city in the direction the mayor chooses."
Mayor George says Lendacky will officially step in when Chief Robert Hughes retires. That's expected to happen in a couple of months.
Acting Chief Lendacky has served in the Wilkes-Barre Police Department for almost three decades. She's worked as a lieutenant and oversaw the night shift.
"So I hope there's no doubt whether I have the ability and the competence to do this," Lendacky said.
"I think it's awesome, start at the bottom, work your way up. I think it's a great thing," said Kathleen Antonitis of Wilkes-Barre.
"It's really cool that she started low and worked up and got to the position. Now little girls will look up to her," said city resident Martha Eddy.
She will replace Robert Hughes, who was named police chief in October 2014. The city expects Hughes to retire in March.
Lendacky believes it's a huge step for any woman to become a police department's top cop. She promises to revisit some of the unsolved murders that happened in Wilkes-Barre over the past year.
She also wants to add more saturation patrols, upgrade equipment, and improve the city's approach to community policing.
"We're getting more officers on the street, getting some of us out; I'll be out there knocking on doors just to talk to people."
Lendacky served under Mayor Tony George when he was the city's police chief more than 10 years ago. Now, he has high hopes for her in his former position.
"Hiring from within gives people the confidence to do the job," said the mayor. "She knows the city."
As for the fire department, Mayor George is keeping Fire Chief Jay Delaney on the job.
On Wednesday, Delaney was unsure whether or not that would still be the case, but on Thursday, George assured him he is a valuable asset to the city.