Last night, Washington Tp's Board of Supervisors suspended Chief Scott Miller without pay so it could conduct its own investigation into a one-vehicle crash on January 6 that Miller failed to report to Slate Belt Regional Police. He had been at a sports bar for eight hours before sliding off Kesslersvelle Road and onto someone's property. It was actually the tow operator, not Miller, who contacted Slate Belt Regional Police. Though one officer detected the odor of alcohol and two officers noticed that Miller was "mush-mouthed," they failed to conduct any field sobriety tests or a portable breath test. Though their own police report indicated Miller had been driving too fast, no charges were filed. The DA had to step in, and now, the Board of Supervisors at a standing-room only meeting attended by about 50 people. But perhaps they should have thought a bit before naming a new acting chief.
This new acting Chief is SGT James Krome. He was employed by Plainfield Tp for about 12 years, but went to Easton City as part of the "rat pack" when Steve Mazzeo was named Chief by then Mayor Phil Mitman. Those who opposed Mitman paid a price. Former Chief Larry Palmer was reduced to Patrolman. Mazzeo's own cousin was demoted. But Krome did well and quickly became a detective.
His tenure in Easton came to an abrupt end in 2008, when he was charged with driving under the influence after being involved in an accident. He was on call at the time, but had a blood alcohol content of 0.16, twice the legal limit. An internal investigation was underway, and Krome decided his best play was to resign. By that time, Larry Palmer was back in charge of Easton police.
There is no evidence of the DUI charges in court records. My conclusion is that Krome was placed on ARD and the charges were expunged.
Krome was able to land in Washington Tp.
28 comments:
This saga is like a Hallmark card the gift that keeps on giving.
Easton police officer facing DUI charge turns in resignation ** Police say James Krome was drunk when his car was involved in Jan. 5 crash.
Joe Nixon Of The Morning Call
The Morning Call
An Easton police detective facing a drunken driving charge for a Jan. 5 off-duty crash in Wilson has resigned from the city force.
James Krome, 45, said he handed in his resignation, effective Feb. 21, to Police Chief Larry Palmer on Wednesday. Krome has been on paid administrative leave since the crash.
Police Capt. Michael Vangelo said the city doesn't have to honor Krome's proposed resignation date and said the city will have to discuss the issue with Krome. He also said Palmer had not yet made a recommendation on any disciplinary action against Krome.
City police said their internal probe involved checking Krome's on-call status for the detective division the night of the crash.
Vangelo said Krome was on call that night, meaning Krome had to be available to respond to a crime, if needed. Detectives who are on call are not supposed to be drinking, he said. Krome's crash occurred about 40 minutes before police were called to a shooting in the city's West Ward.
Vangelo said a disciplinary conference with Krome had to be postponed Monday because Krome was called for testimony in a homicide case in Northampton County court.
Wilson police said Krome had a blood-alcohol level of .16 percent, twice the legal limit of .08 percent. The crash occurred just before 2 a.m. in the 2400 block of Northampton Street when Krome's vehicle was struck by another vehicle, police said. The impact overturned Krome's vehicle. The other driver drove away and hasn't been located, police said.
Krome, of Plainfield Township, said the DUI case played a role in the resignation.
"It helped me make the decision, that's for sure," he said, adding he felt it was "time for me to leave" the city force. He said he was not sure if he would attempt to continue in law enforcement with another department. "I was proud to serve with the city," he said.
Krome was on the Easton force for seven years, and worked for the Plainfield Township police department for about 12 years before that. While at Plainfield, Krome headed the force for a time after the township removed the previous chief. He also previously worked part time for the Washington Township, Northampton County, police force.
His case was the fourth in a string of recent incidents involving city police officers. In May, Officer John Zielinski was charged with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct after he was found stumbling in the city's College Hill section. He pleaded guilty only to disorderly conduct; the drunkenness count was withdrawn. He was fired by City Council, but filed a grievance and got his job back with a six-month unpaid suspension.
Officer John Alestas was suspended without pay for 30 days stemming from a September incident in which he crashed into the Wawa store on Cattell Street after a night of drinking with other off-duty officers. He was not charged with drunken driving. Officer Vincenzo Bruneo was also suspended for 30 days without pay for leaving a knife in a police station room where suspects are processed. That incident also happened in
maybe it's a job prerequisite up there?
we should get the job description
The dishonesty, corruption and personal failings aside, it might be cool to party with these guys one time. They sound off the chain! They really shouldn't be given badges and guns and responsibility. But they can clearly party like professionals.
I think there is even more yet! I have heard the officer Molly Brown who is on the washington twp force was fired from forks township police department. sources say she was involved with giving underage children alcohol. some one needs to check into this ! I see a very bad pattern here! Who is in charge of this mess?? there is also record of her sleeping on the job and missing a 911 call. they found her at home in bed!!!
The bottom line is this man is The Police Chief. Not some rookie. He is to be above reproach,the LEADER, the MENTOR, the example for his officers, the department standard and the community. THE CHIEF OF POLICE! Is this what Washington Township has set the bar at as the line for the community. He needs gone. He obviously has several issues from alcohol, anger management, relationship, mental issues and bad judgement to comprehend what is right and wrong behaviors. His behavior has shown a pattern from 2 DUI'S an accident and spousal abuse/assault and cheating. He has shown he is not capable of being Chief of Police and a liability to the Township in any role of authority. This man needs to be removed as Chief and resign as a police officer. He has proven many times by his actions and behavior both professionally and personally that he should not be in law enforcement. What is the next show to drop with this sick man and who gets hurt? How much is the Township willing to pay and at what cost?
The truth exactly! KUDOS. That is right in what the entire Slate Belt thinks.
There is truth to officer Molly Browns sleeping on duty, file a RTK request with Bangor, the Twp and State Police, it happened more thsn ounce where other agencies had to look for her, the Twp Investigator Keiser also was on suspension a couple years ago for unknown allegations of misconduct, to work at Washington twp Police you must need to check the yes I have been arrested box I guess. Shut the place down
It had been Trump everyone would say its fine its just trump being trump
Can someone verify if Tom beiser is still employed with Washington Township? [ demoted Detective from Easton PD ]
SBRPD doesn't even require candidates to pass a physical fitness test to be considered for employment. "It narrows the application pool too much." I'm sorry if you can't pass a basic physical fitness test you have no business of putting on a uniform and being given the responsibility of protecting and serving the community. This department is a disgrace and needs to be cleaned out or shut down. Clearly these officers require additional training and the leadership is beyond disgraceful.
The charges might have been expunged however according to MPOTEC he is required to disclose where he is asked Have you ever arrested?
Would you not think he would have advised the Supervisors of his arrest prior arrest?
So how do you replace a drunken driver who should not have a badge with another one you have now and the latest is the Chief? Miler has no credibility period nor trustworthiness with his actions with this entire matter. Buy out his contract and send him on the way. If he wants to fight it. Demote him and put him on unpaid leave. He is management not a union rank and file.
This entire issues sets precedent with all the officers.
Since Krome had worked there years prior did Washington Twp even do new paperwork for him or go with the status quo?
They are required to consider him a new hire and follow up with the required testing and qualifications as well as fingerprinting and photographs since he had left there and file that paperwork with MPOTEC which would issue him a new card if qualified. He would have had to make disclosures required.
"Can someone verify if Tom beiser is still employed with Washington Township? "
Bad news in Easton. He was one of Mezzacappa's pals and tried to bully people for her.
That department really does sound bad.
so this was 12 years ago, you really are trying to stir stuff up. Do you do anything else other than bash people, especially cops? People make mistakes and learn from them, not everyone is perfect like you seem to be
Hate to break this to you, but most of my sources about cops are good cops who can't stand bad cops. Wash Tp has a real problem.
Any chance of bringing back the Great Chief, Chief Danny Cotturo, who DEDICATED His Life/Career to Washington Township Taxpayers, only to be forced out by a corrupt movement. Even though disabled, I am sure He would be more of a Productive Leader in the office only, other than what our leadership is today. He also would be able to set the whole force in the proper direction, for the benefit of the taxpayers, since they currently have no direction, and they go in any direction they want, wearing a badge and a blue line.
Bernie, now that you've helped to uncover the issues in Washington Twp that started with some excellent intel, let's take a drive through Bangor/Roseto for breakfast where we can chew on corruption, thugs and deadbeats. Next we can head out to SBRPD for lunch and dine on the lack of morals, values, poor judgement with a side of piss poor integrity. Next stop on the Thin Blue Line will be in Nazareth for dinner! There we will have a main course of immorality, cheaters, arrogance and egos too large for just one sitting - paired with inexperience and no motivation. And for dessert, let's swing by Forks Twp that includes all of the above and then some.
It won't end until the men and women in uniform stand up and take accountability for their actions both in and out of uniform. They are human and make mistakes as we all do, but they are and should be held to higher standard that many of them don't take seriously. These drunks, and wife beaters and cheaters are our first responders! Scary...
So congratulations Hollywood! (Miller) You are leaving this department in shambles... but not at another's doing. This is all on you. Your arrogance and lack of humility, disrespect for women, and your obvious issues with substance abuse brought the department to its knees.
How ya liking the spotlight now?! Own your shit--- and get help.
AGREED
Sorry but this comment of yours has no justification!
'Tyrannical' cop charged in Slate Belt auto body shop disturbance
Updated Jan 02, 2019; Posted Jun 08, 2017
By Jim Deegan | For lehighvalleylive.com
A police officer who works for three Lehigh Valley departments was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment after he caused a disturbance at a Slate Belt auto body shop this week, police said.
Daniel Dieter, 30, had his hand on his holstered gun as he "acted in a loud and tyrannical manner" on Monday regarding a scratch on his pickup truck, according to a summary citation and Slate Belt Regional police Chief David Mettin.
The disturbance happened about 1:45 p.m. Monday in the office of Gerber Collision & Glass on Route 512 in Plainfield Township.
Dieter arrived at the body shop after attending a district court hearing as part of his work with the Washington Township Police Department in the Slate Belt, said that department's chief, Scott Miller.
Dieter is also a part-time police officer at Lehigh Valley International Airport and in Wilson Borough.
He was in plainclothes but had his gun and police badge on his belt while at the body shop, Miller and Mettin said.
The two citations -- one each for disorderly conduct and harassment -- do not give details of the nature of the encounter, other than to say Dieter created a disturbance and acted "in a loud and tyrannical manner, causing employees to be placed in fear for their safety."
Mettin said the workers' tensions already were heightened Monday by a workplace shooting in Orlando, Fla., where a gunman killed five people at a business next-door to another Gerber Collision & Glass center.
"It really scared the employees," Mettin said of Dieter's alleged tirade. "It was reported that he came racing into the parking lot upset about a scratch on his pickup truck. He came in and was loud. He had his gun and badge on, and it was reported to us that he had his hand on his gun."
Employees at the Slate Belt shop Thursday declined to comment and referred questions to The Boyd Group Inc., which operates more than 400 Gerber auto body and glass centers in the U.S. and Canada. A representative didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.
Dieter was gone by the time police arrived Monday. On Tuesday, he was questioned at Slate Belt Regional police headquarters and police consulted with the Northampton County District Attorney's Office, Mettin said.
Mettin said authorities considered filing a more serious charge of making terroristic threats, but in consultation with prosecutors determined there wasn't sufficient evidence to warrant that.
Dieter, of Bushkill Township, has yet to respond to the citations. He could not be reached for comment. He could plead guilty and pay a fine or request a hearing, said District Judge Alicia Zito.
Fines and court costs listed on the tickets amount to $190.
Slate Belt Regional police notified all three of Dieter's law enforcement employers about the citations, Mettin said.
Washington Township's Chief Miller said Dieter has been placed on administrative leave and will not work until the resolution of the two summary cases, at which point an internal review will be conducted.
Dieter was also placed on leave by the airport's police force, said airport authority spokesman Colin Riccobon.
Wilson Borough Police Chief Steven Parkansky said he is aware of the allegations and cannot comment on personnel matters. He also said the department will conduct an internal probe at the conclusion of the cases.
Dieter is one of five part-time officers and five full-time officers on the Washington Township Police Department.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
Wow, what goes on over there in the east? This is downright embarrassing! I still say those of us in the west should petition to become part of Lehigh County. Mr. O'Hare, do you know if it's legally possible to do that?
How does one become a source for you BO I'm interested I have plenty of info.
Email me. bohare5948@aol.com.
Don't bother- she's unsinkable!
I'm going to throw this out with the possibility of a whole lot of conversation coming back at me. Krome's DUI occurred 12 years ago not a month ago. He's kept himself out of trouble since that time. He paid his dues when it occurred and apparently learned something in the process. Miller has repeatedly been an asshole by conducting himself above the law. There's a little bit of a difference between these 2 individuals.
Why is anyone shocked by cops and DUIs look at Remaley from Easton PD who now RUNS the Easton School District Police!!! He had a DUI crash and was given desk duty in Easton!!!
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