Veteran Lancaster police chief forced to retire for not being “Woke” enough to share view on policing with mayor or….?
Veteran police chief forced to retire for not sharing “progressive” view on policing with mayor
Posted by: Chris Elliot for lawenforcementtoday.
Lancaster Police Chief Jarrad Berkihiser who served for 26 years was forced to retire by Mayor Sorace. Was it because he did not share her progressive views of policing? Some are not buying that argument according to Chris Elliott of Lawenforcement Today:
“Former Lancaster Police Chief Jarrad Berkihiser was forced into early retirement recently after serving the city for 26 years. The belief at the time of the forced retirement was because of pro-Trump comments from his wife on Facebook.
“Now, the democratic mayor insists it was because Berkihiser did not share the same view on progressive policing as she did.
“On October 15th, democratic Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace stated she negotiated Berkihiser’s severance package because she did not believe that he held the same vision for the direction of the police department as she did.
“Not everyone was thrilled with the Mayor speaking out on the issue, nor the excuse she gave for essentially firing Berkihiser. Former Lancaster County Fraternal Order of Police President, John Fiorill, said:
“No one worked as hard to effectuate efforts to move the department forward and address the mayor’s concerns than Chief Berkihiser. We view this ironic, with all the advances the chief made in a short period of time – four months – as an example of exceptional leadership.”
Leaders in the police union believe that Berkihiser was not forced to retire because of his and the mayor’s differences on progressive policing, rather, because of his wife’s pro-Trump statement. Fiorill told ABCNews previously:
“This was an unjust situation that [Berkihiser] was placed in, a clear violation of his rights. He was advised by the mayor that she wanted his resignation, based on those statements made on Facebook, not by Chief Berkihiser, but by Chief Berkihiser’s wife.”
The comments that were allegedly so troubling, were made by his wife to another user on Facebook who had gone to a rally of President Trumps on September 29th at Harrisburg International Airport. The post from the other user said:
“I can’t begin to explain the energy & enthusiasm in the crowd for our country & for America, and for the President who wants to build on the foundation of the Constitution, honor our forefathers, protect the unborn, respect our military & law enforcement and keep American the land of the FREE & the home of the brave!!”
“Of course, if Sorace really forced Berkihiser to retire, as Fiorill alleges, she could never admit that it was over a political view that is opposing to her, that was apparently made without Berkihiser’s input. So, if the allegations are correct, what better to blame the forced retirement on other than he could not be woke enough.
For more visit Lawenforcement Today. For the Mayor’s comments see below:
Statement from Mayor Sorace – October 15
As you know, Jarrad Berkihiser retired as Chief of Police for the City of Lancaster, effective at the end of this month. As part of that retirement, there is a legal agreement that previously prohibited me from speaking freely. This agreement was requested by Lancaster Newspapers under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law and was released to them yesterday.
Now that the agreement has been released, I am able and legally authorized to comment on the existence of the Separation Agreement between the City and Chief Berkihiser. As a result of public comments made by others, none of whom were involved in my conversations with Chief Berkihiser, I feel compelled to make this statement. The City’s labor counsel has confirmed that it is both legal and acceptable for me to do so.
Commencing with the murder of George Floyd on May 25 and the demonstrations that erupted on our streets and on streets across this country , I had many, many discussions with Chief Berkihiser about racial equity, policing, and the ways in which Lancaster City could continue to lead the way as it related to progressive policing in the County and the Region.
Those conversations were about the work needed to effectuate the commitments that we as a city first made on June 5, again on August 11 to City Council, and lastly on August 25 when Chief Berkihiser presented a report to City Council regarding the Police Use of Force during the weekend of May 30 and 31. All of these commitments and reports were made in public, recorded and remain publicly available.
These discussions over a period of more than four months led me to doubt that Chief Berkihiser truly shared my vision for the direction of the City’s Bureau of Police with the same passion and conviction that I have. As Mayor, it is my responsibility to ensure that the executive team I have formed is closely aligned with the goals I have set for our City. City residents, our constituents, should expect nothing less. Ultimately, my doubts about Chief Berkihiser’s alignment with my vision resulted in our negotiating a Separation Agreement based on Chief Berkihiser’s retirement. That agreement honors his 26 years of service and provides him all of the rights and benefits afforded to every other police officer who retires from service in the Police Bureau.
Lancaster the challenge before us is significant but I am excited and optimistic. I’m excited about the opportunity for our community to come together in a search for a new Chief of Police. I’m optimistic that a new Chief will help move this work forward and continue the work of building a stronger and more equitable Lancaster Block by Block. I invite all of you; neighbor leaders and business leaders, civic leaders and faith leaders, parents and young people; to join us in this work as we progress.”