White Yeadon Police Chief Picked After Ex Chief Said Firing Was Racial

YEADON BOROUGH, PA — Yeadon Borough Council has approved the hiring of a new, white police chief after the former chief claimed he was fired because he is white.

The borough council chose Henry Giammarco to be former Chief Anthony "Cachi" Paparo's successor.

Giammarco's hiring was approved by the council at its meeting Monday.

The decision to hire Giammarco was met with hesitance and anger by borough residents, and officials.

Watch the meeting below:

Paparo was fired in mid-February after the Yeadon Borough Council voted 4-3 in favor of his termination.

Borough officials said Paparo's termination stemmed from a grievance over Paparo's decision to hire more part-time officers that violated the union's contract.

The borough had to pay $387,000 to settle the grievance, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Paparo filed a suit against the borough, alleging his termination was because he is white and that borough leaders wanted a person of color in the chief role.

The suit names Council President Sharon Council-Harris, Vice President Learin Johnson, President Pro Tempore Tomeka Jones-Waters, and Councilwoman Carlette Brooks, as well as the borough itself as defendants.

It alleges the four council members deemed Yeadon "a black town," and thus would fire Paparo and replace him with a black person to serve as chief.

Johnson is accused in the suit of telling Mayor Rohan Hepkins and two others she planned to fire Paparo and bring in a black chief.

Additionally, the suit says Johnson offered Detective Freddie Ingram, who is black, the chief position. Ingram declined the offer and affirmed his support for Paparo, the suit says.

Paparo was allegedly given an ultimatum: either resign with three months salary or be fired.

The suit is seeking to reinstate Paparo as chief, as well as award him back pay and damages to be paid by the borough and the council members.