Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The West Reading Police Department is back to full force following a firearms certification mix-up that temporarily took six officers off the streets.
Sgt. Keith Phillips, acting officer in charge, confirmed that all of the officers, including himself, had been recertified and returned to regular duty by Friday afternoon.
Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Editor’s note: They sure are having one problem after another in the department!
Half of the West Reading Police Department, including the acting officer in charge, was placed on temporary administrative leave Thursday after it was discovered that the firearms certification for a department range instructor had lapsed.
Borough sources confirmed that six officers – five full-time and one part-time – were taken off the streets for the day as department officials worked to resolve the issue.
“Yes, I have officers who I have instructed the officer in charge that I do not want working until their firearms certifications have been updated,” West Reading Mayor Shane J. Keller said. “We have them scheduled (to be recertified) at 8 a.m. (today), so this will be taken care of relatively quickly.”
Keller declined to discuss who was at fault for the error.
Mount Joy Borough Council demoted its police chief to sergeant on Monday, finding he failed to “meet administrative expectations of the position.”
The decision ends six months of limbo for the borough and John O’Connell, who had been on paid administrative leave since July.
Bill Hall, chairman of the public safety committee, called the demotion a “reassignment agreement and release” that was agreed to by the borough and O’Connell in a motion offered to council.
Council voted 7-1 for the demotion, with Councilman Barry Mowrer opposing. Councilman John Hiestand was absent.
Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A committee formed by West Reading officials last month is looking into the possibility of consolidating the borough’s police force.
James Gallen Jr., a borough councilman and committee member, said the committee – rounded out by Council President Kevin M. Conrad, Councilwoman Elizabeth Heckler and Mayor Shane J. Keller – will enter into discussions with neighboring municipalities and the state police regarding the future of West Reading’s troubled police department.
“We’re exploring consolidation as a cost-saving measure,” Gallen said, adding that Wyomissing would be “a natural fit.”
The talks will extend to other nearby departments, which could include Shillington, and Cumru and Spring townships, he added.
The fallout at Penn State continues.
In addition to Jerry Sandusky, JoePa, Tim Curley, Gary Schultz, Mike McQueary and Graham Spanier, you can add Second Mile charity CEO Jack Raykovitz to the growing cast of characters. Mr. Raykovitz resigned Sunday after 28 years at the helm. So far all the victims were boys in the Second Mile program. Second Mile has retained Philadelphia law firm Archer & Greiner as its counsel.
Mike McQueary, on paid administrative leave, is apparently consulting with the Harrisburg law firm of Strokoff and Cowden, who specialize in employment law. McQueary received death threats and is reportedly in hiding.
McQueary is being handled differently than the others because he is a witness in the case and he also may fall under Pennsylvania’s whistleblower law. The law includes protection for the whistleblower against firing, demotion or punishment. McQueary’s status under this law is still being determined.
