ALTOONA -- This week Altoona police are waiting for blood-test results to determine charges for an officer who allegedly drove under the influence over the weekend, making him the third officer to face charges or citations in recent months.
Chief Janice Freehling said Monday that she does not condone any of this behavior and that "the matters are being dealt with."
Freehling said Officer Erik Stirk, who was off-duty at the time, was arrested and consented to blood tests. Once police have the results, Freehling said they will be able to determine the tier of his charges.
"He will be treated the same as any other person who drinks and drives,"she said.
Stirk's arrest comes less than a week after Officer Julie Kelleher was cited for running a red light just before she hit another vehicle on 6th Avenue.
Mayor Matt Pacifico requested the dashcam video be released, which he posted to Facebook, after Freehling originally decided not to release it. At the time, Freehling said, "There was no reason to."
Pacifico said in his Facebook post, "I believe that it is in the best interest of the public to release the dashcam video to assuage any speculation, and to ensure that our city demonstrates transparency and openness."
Freehling said Monday that she and the Altoona Police Department have no intention to "hide anything from the public."
The crash report said Kelleher was on her way to a motorcycle accident, driving 79 mph on 6th Avenue, when she and John McConnell Jr.'s vehicle collided.
The report said McConnell drove through a steady green light at the intersection of 6th Avenue and 8th Street, while Kelleher drove through a steady red light.
Freehling said that the local vehicle code gives emergency vehicle drivers "special privileges," including running a red.
The code also says that drivers have to slow down, and clear the intersection to safely pass through. She said Kelleher did not slow down.
"If you don't abide by the rules that allow you the special privileges, then the privileges don't apply," she said, adding that this is why Kelleher received a citation.
Last week, City Council voted to officially fire former Sgt. Matthew Starr.
Starr was charged with 10 felonies and one misdemeanor, after State Police said he stole thousands of dollars meant for the Police Department.
The affidavit said Starr went to several local businesses, asked for donations for the department, then used the money to support a gambling habit.
It said he also stole money through forged overtime, and from a GoFundMe page intended for a sick man's family.
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