Newly released photos from Quakertown Borough show an altercation between Police Chief Scott McElree and students during a February protest.
, as officials defend the chief's actions and residents remain divided over what happened. The borough says the images depict protesters striking McElree, including one screenshot that shows a protester swinging a phone at his head and another that shows a teen punching the plain-clothed chief.
The confrontation occurred during an anti-ICE protest in Quakertown Borough, where dozens of students left class and marched through the streets. Five teenagers were arrested and held in custody for several days. McElree had been on workers' compensation leave since the incident after borough officials said he was injured.
In its first public statement about the altercation, the borough said: "He was punched in the front of the head multiple times by a protester using a cell phone as an impact weapon. He was hit in the head by a protester swinging her backpack as a weapon.
"New recommendations after Bucks County Chiefs Association releases findings on Quakertown protest"I saw a lot of videos, they weren't that," said Cindy Gibson of Quakertown. "They weren't anything until the police chief instigated this. " The Bucks County District Attorney's Office is conducting an independent investigation and has not yet released its findings.
However, the borough said it "cannot wait any longer" to address the incident publicly.and added that "the Borough is not taking any disciplinary action against Chief McElree or any QPD Officers concerning their actions prior to, during, or after this incident on February 20, 2026.
""I think it's great that he's back to work. He was only doing his job," said Tom of Ottsville.
"Why do you do that to a child? " asked Karla Arnold of Quakertown, who later said, "I don't think it's right. I don't think he should be back to work until all this is resolved.
" In March, the district attorney's office dropped felony charges against the teens and removed them from house arrest. Attorneys representing the students have not responded to requests for comment on the borough's statement. Related Topics
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