Suspended Hatboro Police Officer Resigns

Hatboro Borough Council voted unanimously Monday to accept the resignation of following a nearly three-month suspension.

The council did not comment prior to or following the vote, which came at the beginning of Monday’s committee meeting and was not on the meeting’s agenda. Typically, the council deliberates only during committee sessions and saves voting items for its second meeting of the month.

Hatboro Police Chief James Gardner declined to comment Monday on Becker’s resignation, or an investigation that had been conducted by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office.

When reached late Monday for comment, First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said, "We referred the matter to the Attorney General of Pennsylvania. It would not be appropriate for us to comment on it, at this time."

When pressed at the end of Monday's meeting, Council President Marianne Reymer said only that Becker was not forced to tender his resignation.

"It was his decision to resign," Reymer said. 

In March, when the council voted to suspend the 17-year veteran police officer without pay, officials had said the indefinite suspension was the result of an "ongoing criminal investigation."

Gardner did say during the meeting that a test would be administered in the fall for the potential hire of a police officer, but did not say it was being conducted in conjunction with Becker’s resignation.