EPD Patrolman Resigns, Charges Pending Officials Say

An Easton Police Department patrolman resigned this afternoon shortly before city officials were set to fire him today, after serious improprieties were uncovered in a case he handled earlier this month, Mayor Sal Panto announced at a press conference Tuesday evening.

The now-former officer, who was not named for legal reasons, was the recipient of a wallet found by a citizen in the West Ward on September 2, said Captain Carl Scalzo. However, when the owner of the wallet discovered it had been found and turned into authorities, the item couldn't be located, he said.

The wallet's absence and discrepancies in the handling of the incident were discovered by police officials at approximately 9 a.m. yesterday, on Sept. 26, EPD Chief Larry Palmer said.

By 4 p.m. the same day, the department had the matter solved.

“What we ultimately found was not only were the rules of the department violated, but the laws of the Commonwealth were violated too,” Scalzo said. “There is currently a criminal investigation....We presume charges will be filed later this week.”

The wallet contained identification, cash, and credit cards. Officials declined to say how much cash was in the wallet or whether it was still there when it was ultimately recovered, nor whether the credit cards were used.

City officials said the matter has been turned over to Northampton County District Attorney detectives, usual protocol in cases involving a police department. They added the former officer is cooperating with the investigation.

Easton city officials stressed the patrolman was not “allowed” to resign.

“He would have been terminated today,” Panto said.

“By 1 p.m. the next day, the officer was no longer employed by the city of Easton,” Scalzo added.

Panto and others said the matter was presented to the press to keep the public informed, as much as legally possible, while still granting the former EPD member their rights under the law. The recent gains in public trust, along with the department receiving state accreditation a few years ago should not be eclipsed by the alleged crime of one member, they said.

“I know the Easton Police Department has turned itself around 180,” Panto said, crediting Palmer for the gains the department has made in recent years. “One thing I'd like to stress is that there are still 61 officers who do a fantastic job,” he added.

Palmer agreed, saying, “The other officers in the department, quite frankly, are pissed.”