North Wales Police Chief Suspended from Duty
Chief Barry Hackert has been suspended by council, and Officer Terry Hammerstone has stepped in as interim chief
North Wales Police Chief Barry Hackert has been suspended from his duties by North Wales Borough Council.
Hackert was appointed chief in October 2003.
According to Brad Schlegel of The Reporter, Officer Terry Hammerstone is overseeing the department.
North Wales Mayor Doug Ross and police secretary Gerry Fredericks were mum on further details.
All comment is going through solicitor Greg Gifford, according to the article.
In December 2008, Hackert was placed on administrative leave for "health and personal issues," according to Ross in an article by The Reporter.
North Wales Borough has a controversial history when it comes to police chiefs — including a lengthy list of lawsuits filed by previous chiefs against the borough.
In 2003, the borough reached a settlement with former chief Ken Veit in three lawsuits. The solicitor at the time said the "two sides came to a business settlement,without either party admitting fault."
According to The Reporter, Veit filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against North Wales after he was fired in 1999 for not obeying orders of Mayor Doug Ross.
Veit had also appealed the Commonwealth Court's ruling, which was in favor of North Wales Borough.
That same year, North Wales settled a lawsuit with the chief before Veit, Peter O. Paul
Paul, was removed from duty by Ross after being appointed acting chief in Veit's absence, according to the article.
North Wales settled with Paul in June 2003 for $19,000 in back wages.
Paul had also sued North Wales Borough, and was able to appeal the borough's decision. The borough had an appeal pending with the Commonwealth Court, but that appeal was discontinued with the settlement, according to the article.
Walt Priestley
8:46 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Most likely political bull$hit.
Kimberly Ozkowski
12:03 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Why are we not told the reason for the suspension? He is a public official, we have a right to know the reason.
John Landt
1:22 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013
you're right Kimberly...but in this ridiculous PC world we now live in we need to take care to not tread on the wrong-doers privacy...seems to me you should be forfeiting those rights when you decide to do wrong...
michael
2:12 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
goggle him and you will see what he did in 2006 ??? our tax money wasting on him he needs to be fired and now
Mari
3:43 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013
How come this article has been totally shortened compared to Friday's article??? Another COVERUP!!!!!
Tony Di Domizio
5:52 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Mari - This article has remained the same since its publication at 5:59am Saturday. Are you sure you're not referring to The Reporter's article, which is not affiliated with Patch?
worldpeace2013
11:23 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
wow. seems like the police station is corrupt and the poor chiefs do not want to deal with it! NW rethink where u live and what the mayor and other politicians in the vicinity are doing!
Steph Mcgeller
10:05 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Doggie Style at 20 Airport Sq. North Wales closed down the store today without telling employees and customers. Employees came to the store to find everything packed up and gone. A lot of dogs have been hurt and abused by this company.
Jane Keyes
1:36 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
I have had a business in North Wales Borough for 28 years and have worked with the Chief and the department on many events over the years. I have always found him to be diligent, hard working, and level headed. As I understand it he was away on a vacation when the incident occurred. There have been no charges brought against Chief Hackert. I understand that we need to hold our public officials to a higher standard, but when is a mistake made in the heat of a moment, just a mistake and if you are a police officer do you not deserve some privacy. It seems to me that we are convicting the gentlemen of something, when we don't even know what the something is. I know I plan to be at the meeting at Borough Hall on Tuesday, January 22nd at 7pm to show my support of this man who has dedicated more than the last 20 years of his life to the well being of the residents and businesses in the Borough.
michael
2:11 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
sorry but as tax payer and all i feel unsafe with a police chief like this he needs to be fires and lose it all he took oarth to uphold the law?? not break laws ? he is a danger to borough northwales, and what he did from 2006 2008 2012 13 why would any one want to support a police chief with his record he was found guilty 3 counts appearing intoxicated and violent ? and you would want this police to be around your kids ? and you are supporting him? there is alot of people that want him fire and is going to all means to make sure he is gone for good we dont need corrupt or dangers violent police in borough , thanks to the chief of telford for doing a well job of doing the right thing and writing 3 summary offenses on him ,