Collingdale, Delaware County, faces a critical police staffing shortage, prompting an unusual series of events. Amidst a divided borough council and ongoing controversies, the borough manager took immediate action to address staffing gaps by swearing in a new officer outside of traditional protocols.
Tensions in Collingdale, Delaware County , are escalating as the borough grapples with persistent police staffing issues. Borough Manager C. Michael Robinson issued a statement Sunday, outlining the alarming situation where two police shifts were left unattended on Friday. To address the critical shortage, the borough had to call an emergency meeting and hastily swear in Officer Kevon Darden, one of four new officers recently approved by the council.
Robinson explained that current officers declined overtime to cover Sunday's shift, forcing the borough to take swift action. Darden, who had been scheduled to be sworn in alongside three other new officers during Tuesday's council meeting, agreed to start early, providing much-needed coverage. Robinson emphasized that Darden is not new to law enforcement and has prior experience in Delaware County, having successfully completed the police academy.The situation took an unexpected turn when Mayor Donna Matteo Spadea declined to swear in Darden, citing discomfort with the lack of information about the officer and concerns about deploying untrained officers onto the streets. Judge Lee Grimes also declined to perform the swearing-in ceremony. Faced with this impasse, the borough manager opted for an unconventional solution, seeking the services of a Notary Public to administer Darden's oath, arguing that it is a legally sound move according to the borough solicitor. This latest development adds fuel to the already heated controversy surrounding the police department in Collingdale, which began with the hiring of new Police Chief Shanee Mitchell in November. Notably, the borough council is deeply divided, and the state police have been called upon to assist with responding to off-hour calls in the past. On Sunday, state police and DELCO Sector 4 agencies stood ready to provide additional support in case of further staffing shortages
POLICE STAFFING COLLINGDALE DELAWARE COUNTY EMERGENCY SWARING-IN NOTARY PUBLIC BOROUGH MANAGER MAYOR COUNCIL DIVISIONS
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