SMETHPORT — Former Bradford City Police lieutenant Linda Close has been hired by the McKean County District Attorney’s office as a county detective.

A lifelong resident of McKean County, Close has 31 years experience in law enforcement. Most recently, she was employed as a field deputy with the McKean County Sheriff’s Office. Before that, she worked for Bradford police as a juvenile officer, tasked with investigation of cases of child abuse and sexual assault.  

Former county detective Scott Nelson, a retired state trooper, accepted a position with the sheriff’s office. He worked as a county detective for six years.

“Detective Nelson has served the people of McKean County for nearly his entire career in law enforcement,” said District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer. “His experience has been a great benefit to the district attorney’s office and will be a great benefit to the sheriff’s office.”

She continued, “I appreciate the work Detective Nelson has performed on behalf of the district attorney’s office and thank him for his numerous years of service as well as his commitment to the citizens of McKean County.”