Fired West Reading Officer Cleared Of Harassment

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Former West Reading Police Officer Ronald E. Ladd has been cleared of a harassment charge stemming from the altercation last August that resulted in his firing.

The ruling, issued Friday by Berks County Judge Timothy J. Rowley, overturned Ladd’s November conviction, which carried a $300 fine and courts costs.

“I’m thankful,” Ladd said Monday of his successful appeal. “Very thankful for the judge to be able to look at this unbiased, and deep in my heart I knew that eventually justice would be served.  And I’m just very thankful.”

Despite the good news in court, Ladd remains without a job a week after West Reading’s Civil Service Commission upheld his November firing from the borough force.

Read more:   http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=494617

Panel Upholds Firing Of Ex-West Reading Police Officer

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was quick, to the point, and for many in attendance at the West Reading Fire Department, it didn’t come as much of a surprise.

Following a hearing that began in February and concluded in May, a three-member Civil Service Commission ruled Wednesday night to uphold the borough’s November firing of former police Officer Ronald E. Ladd.

“I think the evidence in its totality convinced us,” commission member Stephen F. DeLucas said afterward of the decision.

DeLucas was referring to testimony and other accounts of the Aug. 31 altercation between Ladd and former police Chief Edward C. Fabriziani, whom Ladd is accused of assaulting in the chief’s office that summer day.

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Firearms Certification Lapse Puts 6 West Reading Cops On Leave

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.

Read more:   http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=457495

West Reading Fires Police Chief, 2 Others

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  At least there are places in the universe where poor performance and bad behavior aren’t rewarded or tolerated!

After months of turmoil in its troubled police department, West Reading Borough Council voted Wednesday night to fire Police Chief Edward C. Fabriziani, Sgt. Richard Vetter and Officer Ronald E. Ladd.

“We had a rough night, as you can imagine,” Councilman James J. Gallen Jr. said after the vote, which was preceded by a 2½-hour executive session that left some council members teary-eyed.

Fabriziani and Council President Kevin M. Conrad declined to comment on the action, and Ladd and Vetter were not present.

Reached at home following the meeting, Ladd’s wife said that the couple needed a couple of days to deal with things before they would comment.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=428065

West Reading Committee Weighs Police Options

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.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=420092