CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough representative Stephanie Tarbay has announced her resignation from the Clearfield Regional Police Commission.
Tarbay distributed her resignation letter to local media outlets Wednesday, Aug. 14. Her resignation is effective immediately.
She wrote of how she “truly enjoyed” serving on the commission, wished its members the best and shared her hopes that the regional police force grows and thrives.
“I am humbled and honored to have been a part of the process and the leg work that it took to join these two municipal police forces together.”
Tarbay, however, said she’s become “very disheartened” recently with her cohort, Lawrence Township representative Randy Powell, and wishes to distance herself.
She said Powell continually tries to use the regional police as his “personal police force,” calling the chief and assistant chief with complaints that he does not himself witness and by doing so does not follow the proper channels for reporting incidents.
“I do not believe that this is healthy for our police force,” she wrote, “and I cannot continue to work with someone [who] believes this is proper.”
Tarbay said Powell has also met with multiple officers without other members of the police commission or the police chief being present.
In small towns, you’re bound to have people believing their power should be used in various ways, she said, noting “this isn’t the mentality we need.”
She hopes Clearfield Borough’s replacement for her on the commission will help keep such behavior at bay.
Tarbay also indicated there were communication issues, and at times, she didn’t receive updates and it was a matter that needs addressed moving forward.
In closing she reiterated the honor it was to have served in this manner as public safety is something she holds in “very high accord.”