A town meeting in Collingdale, Pennsylvania, became contentious on Tuesday as local leaders tried to hire a new police chief while a search is ongoing, ABC6 reported.
The city was set to finalize the decision to hire Chester Police Chief Raheem Branden as its new chief, but the meeting became heated, news outlets reported. Reported.
Branden is under criminal investigation for allegedly tipping off a suspect wanted for attempted murder five minutes before police searched his home. According to “He put all of our officers at risk by calling this individual and trying to let him know the SWAT team was coming to his house,” Delco Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) President Chris Eiserman told NBC 10.
'He's under criminal investigation': Outrage over Delco police chief candidate https://t.co/pHfzWoOjrF
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“I have no knowledge of any criminal investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division,” Branden told ABC6 as he left the tense meeting.
“We have had a great police chief, so why would you want to subject someone to an investigation as police chief,” one Collingdale resident said during the meeting. (Related story: Chicago mayor suddenly waives police hiring freeze amid growing backlash)
Collingdale Borough Council leader Ryan Hastings declined to comment on why he thought Mr Blunden was the right person for the job.
“We should never even consider hiring someone who is under investigation,” Mayor Donna Matteo Spadea said.
Branden said he still plans to accept the role: “I think they're trying to make me the focal point.” [in this meeting]But this is about council members,” he added.
Council members voted in June to fire former Police Chief Patrick Kilroy. ReportedThose who voted to fire Kilroy cited police shortages and excessive overtime, though Kilroy has previously tried to alleviate overtime issues by asking the city to hire more officers.
“He's been asking for it multiple times since January. He's asked, 'Can we have a civil service system?' to no avail. He's asked if he can hire a part-time employee,” City Councilwoman Felecia Coffee told the outlet.
