Kiski Township law enforcement cite ‘hostile perform environment’ in resignation letters

Kiski Township law enforcement cite ‘hostile perform environment’ in resignation letters

Kiski Township law enforcement officers cited what they describe as a “hostile do the job environment” in resignation letters to the township.

Four of the township’s six officers resigned Thursday or early Friday, as did the township’s police secretary. The resignations came after the department’s previous officer-in-charge filed a grievance with the township and the United Steelworkers — the union symbolizing Kiski Township’s officers — proclaiming harassment by township supervisors.

Jason Loose, a component-time officer, submitted his resignation early Friday.

“Unfortunately, circumstances lead me to find work elsewhere because of to the hostile function ecosystem and the other problems going on within just the township,” Unfastened wrote in his letter. “It is not reasonable to me or the other officers.”

Loose explained he worked as a element-time officer for the township for 3 several years, generally working 40 to 50 several hours a 7 days.

“Supervisors informed me they would make me a comprehensive-time officer and under no circumstances did,” he stated.


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Darlene Veselicky of East Vandergrift, a component-time law enforcement secretary for Kiski Township, reported she resigned at 11 a.m. Thursday. She said she thinks she was the very first to walk off the career.

“I resigned for the reason that of the disrespect, animosity and discrimination from some of the supervisors towards some of the township workforce,” she reported Friday in a telephone interview with the Tribune-Overview. “I choose not to function there anymore.”

Veselicky labored for the now-defunct Rainbow Manage in Vandergrift, which dispatched hearth, law enforcement and ambulance emergency phone calls in parts of the Alle-Kiski Valley. She also previously worked for Armstrong County 911 and Murrysville law enforcement.

“I have been in the company for 33 many years doing work with several police departments, and I’ve hardly ever observed anything at all like this,” she explained.

Alex Cherevka, a element-time officer, submitted his resignation letter early Friday. In it, he cited problems in working with Supervisor Mike Bash as the reason.

Bash has not responded to cellphone phone calls from the Trib requesting comment. Contacted Friday, solicitor Tim Miller explained the township would not comment on the problems raised in the grievance and litigation.

“I do not have earned the hostility from any township supervisors for carrying out the right factor,” Cherevka mentioned. “I do not ought to have to be subjected to workplace hostility because I selected to do what is lawful and, not to mention, moral.”

Cherevka additional, “I have acquired far more respect from folks that have assaulted me on the position than I at any time felt from Mike Bash and other supervisors.”

Beforehand, Kiski Township law enforcement Sgt. Thomas Dessell despatched issues about supervisors’ actions to his union, state police, the Armstrong County District Attorney’s Business office and the condition Attorney General’s Place of work.

Dessell has stated he has been worried about what he described as achievable illegal activity and ethics violations involving a township supervisor inquiring him to locate a reason to arrest a resident, supervisors’ entry to police surveillance videos and supervisors’ access to the police station.

In his letter of resignation, Dessell cited an problem with his do the job timetable and absence Thursday for an lively-shooter coaching class.

Dessell claimed he was directed by new police Main Lee Bartolicius to attend an “investigatory meeting” Friday at the township constructing.

“I was advised I was not permitted to have my legal professional current. What investigation conference is desired? This is a black-and-white non-challenge but an act of harassment by the Board of Supervisors.”

Dessell, who was the officer-in-charge of the division, stated he was not notified of the using the services of of the new chief until finally Thursday.

Supervisors hired Bartolicius on Wednesday at their regular monthly meeting.

Operating for 3½ yrs as a township law enforcement officer, Dessell explained it was an honor and privilege to provide inhabitants in Kiski Township and North Apollo.

The law enforcement section expanded and moved in a beneficial course, “making a real effects in the neighborhood,” he explained.

“Some very good officers have arrive by way of the office and still left simply because of the video games and gimmicks the Board of Supervisors have continued to play,” Dessell explained in his letter. “They have fostered and promoted a hostile perform environment, loaded with frequent harassment.”

Mary Ann Thomas is a Tribune-Assessment staff writer. You can contact Mary at 724-226-4691, [email protected] or by means of Twitter .

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