Brentwood Borough Council Votes To Suspend Chief Of Police
BRENTWOOD (KDKA)- The Brentwood Borough Council voted to suspend Police Chief Robert Butelli Monday night.
Earlier this month, Chief Butelli was put on leave. The City Council approved hiring a private firm to look into the management and operations of the Brentwood Police Department.
At Monday's meeting, the council voted 5-2 in favor of suspending Butelli with pay. The suspension lasts until Oct. 31.
Mayor Dennis Troy, who's only been in office for nine months, says the borough hired an outside investigator to determine whether or not Butelli has been doing his job.
Some of Butelli's supporters, including former Brentwood Mayor Ken Lockhart, claim this is all a vendetta by the mayor and borough council.
"Your intentions to move Chief Butelli from his position as chief of police is an embarrassment to the people of Brentwood Borough," resident Ken Lockhart told council members Monday night.
Lockhart told leaders they should not engage in personal vendettas once they are sworn into office.
"Less than one tenth of one percent of the residents attend the council meetings," Mayor Troy said. "Of those in attendance last night, how many people said personal vendettas? A couple of friends."
Troy says Butelli is being investigated for allegations of poor management in the department. He is being suspended with pay until Oct. 31.
Butelli has been the chief in Brentwood since 2001, and he currently makes around $100,000.
"We're going to take a long, hard look at what's going on and come back in my opinion with an unbiased review," Troy said.
Troy said he is focusing on the chief's service over the past 13 years. During Monday night's meeting, Butelli's lawyer told council he needed clarification.
"No, I'm requesting that there be some justification for suspending a man with pay pending an investigation," Attorney Michael Colarusso said.
Adam Zeppuhar, a 13-year veteran, is running the 14-man department as interim chief until things are settled.
Troy said the next council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 27. At that time, council will have to decide if they are going to continue the investigation or see if further action needs to be taken.
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