North Franklin reinstates two officers; one remains suspended
North Franklin Township supervisors reinstated the police chief and another officer Wednesday amid a special investigation into sexual harassment allegations in the department.
A third officer, Rodney Bush, will remain on paid suspension while a special labor attorney and an independent security firm investigate the complaint that surfaced earlier this month, according to a motion approved at the special township meeting.
“The investigation has commenced,” township solicitor Gary Sweat said.
Other motions that were unanimously approved involved the reinstatements of police Chief Ron Fox and Sgt. Jerry Cavanaugh. Supervisor Bob Sabot said the reinstatements came with the understanding that future disciplinary action may be taken.
Before the meeting was adjourned, Sabot said the township would not be commenting further on the investigation. The details of the complaint have not been revealed.
The board hired Phillip J. Binotto of Southpointe as a special labor attorney to investigate the complaint, and Corporate Security and Investigations of Monaca to assist Binotto and conduct interviews.
Meanwhile, the board voted to offer a full-time job in the police department to Elizabeth Grinchell, who has until May 29 to decide whether she will accept the position.
Sweat declined to comment when asked if she was involved in the complaint.
The beleaguered police department also is the target of a federal discrimination lawsuit filed in September by Lindsi Kopko.
Kopko claims she was passed over for promotions and the victim of pregnancy discrimination while working for the township as a part-time officer.
The supervisors issued a number of directives to the police department that involve officers’ access to personnel records on computers and passwords. One directive sought a policy involving the viewing by on-duty officers of televisions, computers and other devices.
Meanwhile, the board accepted the resignation of officer Dean Urbanic, who worked for the township for 19 years. Sabot said Urbanic’s resignation is not related to the internal investigation.
Urbanic said he was taking a police job in the Trinity Area School District.