Published: May 12, 2008 11:30 pm            

Chief suspended, force loses accreditation

NORTHERN CAMBRIA — The local police chief’s alleged altercation during a relative’s DUI stop has temporarily cost him his job – and his department’s state accreditation.

A month after borough police Chief Kevin Stanek was charged by Susquehanna Township police with assault and DUI, council on Monday upheld the mayor’s decision last week to suspend him without pay.

Mayor Gennaro Cantalupo said Monday night that he took action against Stanek, 48, on Wednesday, weeks after the chief was charged in the alleged assault of Susquehanna police Officer Ronald Schilling.

Stanek faces charges of assault on an officer and DUI after he arrived at the scene out of uniform in an unmarked cruiser.

“I suspended (Stanek) without pay until May 12,” Cantalupo said at the council meeting.

“Now, Borough Council needs to uphold the suspension without pay, or have him reinstated.”

Solicitor Dennis Govachini told council they had three options, and they chose in executive session to uphold the suspension pending further developments.

Residents James Sabella and Carol Jarvis criticized council for not acting sooner.

“Why did it take so long to decide what’s going on with (Stanek)?” Jarvis asked. “If it was anybody else, we’d be in jail.”

Sgt. Dave Hassen was named officer-in-charge. His duties will include preparing the paperwork to have the department’s state accreditation reinstated. Stanek had been gathering the papers, but the project has stalled since the incident. Hassen said it could take up to two years for reinstatement.

        

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