CLEARFIELD – Two Clearfield Borough Police officers had their paid administrative leaves continued after charges were filed against them Thursday.
Clearfield Borough Council unanimously voted to extend the administrative leaves of Sgt. Greg Neeper and Officer Brian Dixon. This vote came during a special meeting of council Thursday night.
Clearfield Borough Police Chief Jeff Rhone released this statement to the media:
“Clearfield Borough recognizes that two officers from the Clearfield Borough Police Department have been charged with various criminal charges this date before District Magistrate Richard Ireland. The Borough of Clearfield has placed the officers involved on administrative leave.
“Further action from Clearfield Borough will depend upon the outcome of the legal action initiated against the officers by the Punxsutawney barracks of the Pennsylvania state police. The officers have the right to due process of law and should be considered innocent until proven guilty.
“The Borough of Clearfield will continue to provide service to the community but will also provide support to the officers until evidence is produced which may determine otherwise.”
Clearfield Borough Solicitor F. Cortez “Chip” Bell III said that the officers were originally placed on desk duty on Jan. 11 by Rhone. Clearfield Mayor Patty Gilliland then placed them on administrative leave a few weeks later, mainly at the request of the officers, according to Bell.
Bell said that council needed to place the officers on leave before their next meeting otherwise the officers would return to duty.
What the officers were charged with was not revealed, though Rhone said that both are facing mid-level misdemeanor charges.
Rhone reiterated that these incidents need to be looked at as allegations, and that the officers have a right to due process.
“We’re going to stand behind them as much as we can,” said Rhone.
The next step in the case will be a preliminary hearing. Keep reading GantDaily for more information on this case as it becomes available.