SUNBURY – Now that the report on the investigation of the Sunbury Police Department has been released, there are a number of unanswered questions. Ballard Spahr, who wrote the report and conducted the investigation, listed a number of findings regarding leadership in the department.
Ballard Spahr indicates that given the allegations and the size of the Sunbury Police Department, an outside investigator should have looked into allegations against Officer Scott Hause. The report said this would have ensured a thorough, impartial and unbiased investigation.
Ballard Spahr writes that Chief Brad Hare’s response to the affair, was troubling from the beginning. Rather than immediately alerting the Mayor and Council of the situation, Ballard Spahr claims Hare waited until he and Mayor David Persing met with the accusers, Paul and Jessica Troup, almost two weeks later.
Ballard Spahr also claims Hare contacted Paul Troup to discourage him from pursuing the complaint against Officer Hause. Specifically, they claim Hare advised Troup that Officer Hause’s wife had a serious medical condition and they would lose their medical coverage if Officer Hause was fired.
Hare was also criticized for seizing Hause’s department-issued phone and IPad. Ballard Spahr said they cannot conclude Chief Hare wiped Officer Hause’s phone and IPad with the intent to delete potentially damaging information that would incriminate Officer Hause. However, they found Hare’s actions to be questionable and unprofessional. Corporal Hare has agreed to talk on the WKOK live telephone talkshow On The Mark Wednesday at 9:10am.
Brad Hare resigned as chief in December and currently serves as a corporal in the department. You can read the entire report below.
