Published: September 18, 2008 11:08 pm      

Embattled chief resigns

NORTHERN CAMBRIA — The borough’s embattled police chief who was charged in April with felony assault and DUI has resigned, The Tribune-Democrat has learned.

Councilman Eugene “Gig” Certo, who is on Northern Cambria Borough’s police committee, confirmed that Kevin Stanek, 49, turned in his badge, gun and keys to borough officials on Thursday morning.

While Stanek has been embroiled in controversy since being charged relative to his stepson’s April traffic stop, Borough Council has been the target of extensive criticism for not taking a stronger stand against its longtime chief of police.

Council suspended Stanek without pay in May, about a month after Stanek was charged by Susquehanna Township police with aggravated assault, DUI and other charges.

While the felony charges were withdrawn at a June preliminary hearing, the DUI and remaining charges were waived to Cambria County Court.

A pretrial conference with Stanek’s attorney, Tom Dickey of Altoona, and the district attorney’s office, is scheduled Oct. 1.

Stanek’s driver’s license was suspended June 10 as a result of refusing a blood alcohol test, and an appeal was filed in Cambria County Court by Dickey on June 16. Judge Norman Krumenacker granted the appeal, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.

Certo, who has been a longtime supporter of the police department and last year paid for a police cruiser insert to be used to transport the borough’s K-9 officer, Dax, said Stanek’s resignation came as a sad relief.

“On a personal level, it’s sad, because (Stanek) did do good for the community,” Certo said. Stanek had been at the helm of the department for more than 20 years and was instrumental in bringing a full-time officer into Northern Cambria School District as part of the federal COPS in Schools program.

The 24-hour police force gained state and national accreditation under his direction, and most recently, Stanek helped to obtain Officer Dax.

“But (Stanek) probably should have resigned a long time ago,” Certo said.

“This is has been a total embarrassment for everybody. It’s just unfortunate for this community. It was a black mark, and it will take a long time for it to go away. It won’t go away overnight. It’s been too long and drawn out.”

Stanek could not immediately be reached for comment.