After a three week internal investigation, Glenville police officer Chris Charnews has been arrested and Officer Ed Casey has resigned.
Charnews was charged Thursday with third degree criminal mischief, a felony, and two misdemeanor counts of fourth degree criminal mischief for allegedly shooting out a streetlight with a “potato gun” and setting fire to two boxes of road flares in the parking lot of the police department.
Charnews has been suspended without pay and department officials said they will be seeking his termination. No further action will reportedly be taken against Casey who was the subject of the same investigation.
The internal probe began “after certain circumstances indicated the possibility of misconduct by department members, town police chief Michael D. Ranalli said. He said that no aspect of the investigation revealed any allegations involving any interactions with members of the public.
In a news release issued by the police agency, Ranalli said that “This administration has set a standard of respect and professionalism that must be adhered to at all times and if members fall below that standard they will be dealt with accordingly”.
The release said that “The current dispositions were not taken lightly but were made with the best interest of both the taxpayers of the town of Glenville and the Glenville Police Department in mind. The integrity and professionalism of our department is of paramount importance and acts of misconduct will be handled aggressively and decisively.”
