Hatboro Suspends Veteran Police Officer

voted Monday to suspend Det. Sgt. John Becker indefinitely and without pay. 

Borough Manager Tommy Ryan said Tuesday that the suspension was the result of an "ongoing criminal investigation."

Police Chief James Gardner said the Montgomery Count District Attorney's office was leading the investigation and said he could not comment further.

First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said on Wednesday that he could not comment on the investigation or say when it would conclude. 

Becker has been with the Hatboro Police Department for 17 years, Gardner said.  

Council President Marianne Reymer said the council opted to uphold Mayor Norm Hawkes' decision as reflected in his March 2 memo. Reymer said she could not disclose any further information because "it is a legal and personnel matter."

According to recent news reports, Becker led the Hatboro half of the investigation into a string of Valentine's Day robberies in Hatboro and Upper Moreland which ultimately led to an arrest. 

Published meeting minutes from Hatboro, as well as Upper Dublin, show that Becker was recognized for his police work. During its Oct. 12, 2000 meeting, the Upper Dublin Commissioners acknowledged Becker with a commendation of merit. At Hatboro's March 24, 2008 meeting, Gardner congratulated Becker for an award he had received from the American Society of Industrial Security for the investigation and arrest of a suspect involved in a sexual assault case.