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WILKES-BARRE — Police union vice president Dan Duffy was fired by Mayor Tony George, as the long-running feud between the union and administration seems to have reached a new low point.
George confirmed he fired Duffy on Tuesday, but did not want to say much more.
“It’s a personnel issue. I’m not going to discuss it,” said the mayor.
He also declined to say if any other firings within the police force were possible.
The termination of Duffy, a former Scranton police chief, comes on the heels of six officers being disciplined, according to the union.
Duffy and Sgt. Phil Myers found themselves in trouble for posts on the union’s Facebook page in April that reportedly disclosed confidential department policy.
Duffy was also the focus of an internal investigation for “harassing” emails he sent to the mayor and City Administrator Ted Wampole in defense of a PBA member wrongly accused by Commander of Patrol Ron Foy, the union said in a post last month.
According to a post last night on the Facebook page for the Wilkes-Barre City Police Benevolent Association:
“The mayor, who purports to be a victim and also acted as the adjudicator, claims that he and City Administrator Ted Wampole were ‘harassed’ or ‘threatened’ in an email sent by Vice President Duffy. The email raised concerns about the conduct of a Commander and treatment of a fellow PBA member.
“This is another example of the witch hunts that have been occurring against union officials and members within the department.”
The post goes on to say the PBA supports Duffy and will be appealing his firing and other issues.
It adds: “It is unfortunate that the current mayor and chief have not recognized the asset he is.”
Just two weeks ago, city council agreed to use the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association for a top-to-bottom review of the city’s force.
The ultimate goal is to heal some of the animosities that have developed between Chief Marcella Lendacky and the union.
The union asked for the review, and the probe had been discussed for almost a year.