By Julie Benamati
The Tribune-Democrat
NORTHERN CAMBRIA, Pa. — Charges have not yet been filed against the borough’s longtime police chief after an alleged altercation with a neighboring officer early Saturday.
Chief Kevin Stanek, of Northern Cambria, allegedly interfered with Susquehanna Township police Officer Ronald Schilling’s DUI arrest of Greg Kline -- Stanek’s stepson.
Schilling -- who recently was hired as a full-time guard at SCI-Pine Grove in Indiana County — said he is undergoing orientation there and has not been able to file charges at District Judge Michael Zungali’s office in Hastings.
Zungali said such delays are not uncommn for less-serious charges.
“It depends upon the situation, especially if there is a lengthy investigation,” he said Tuesday. “If there is a problem where the officer wants to talk to the DA first ... the officer waits to make sure everything is done properly instead of jumping on it.”
Schilling said he wants to make sure a conflict of interest does not exist, because Stanek — as a Susquehanna Township supervisor — technically is his boss.
Stanek arrived on the scene in an unmarked cruiser and was pepper-sprayed after three warnings to back off, Schilling said.
Schilling said Stanek will face charges of assault and DUI, as well as interfering with police business.
Kline will face counts of DUI and resisting arrest.
Northern Cambria Mayor Gennaro Cantalupo declined to say Monday whether Stanek remained on the force.
Copyright 2008 The Tribune-Democrat