Firing of previous Manheim Township police chief branded as 'hasty condemnation' by the attorney.
In a surprising turn of events, the Manheim Township board of commissioners unanimously voted to fire their police chief, Duane M. Fisher, on June 23. The decision came a little over a month after a security video was published by LNP | our facebook, showing Fisher drawing his gun and grappling with a motorcyclist.
Prior to the interview, nobody from the township had formally interviewed Fisher to obtain his perspective about the incident. However, on July 8, Fisher was interviewed by the township's outside investigator, Emanuel Kapelsohn. The focus of the investigation is not to determine whether Fisher committed any wrongdoing, but to consider recommended changes in practice and training.
The motorcyclist involved in the incident, Benny Peña-Rivera, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, evading, and resisting arrest. However, the criminal charges against Peña-Rivera were dropped, and he agreed to plead guilty to a series of traffic offenses.
Edward A. Paskey, Fisher's attorney, wrote a letter on July 18, asking the commissioners to return Fisher to his post while an outside investigation remains ongoing. Paskey's letter questions whether the commissioners reviewed Fisher's supplemental police report before terminating his employment. Fisher's report contains detailed information about his actions during the April 30 incident, according to Paskey.
Fisher's contract stipulated that either the township or the chief could part ways at any time with proper notice. The township board fired Fisher "without cause," under the terms of his contract. Fisher will continue to draw a severance from the township until late January.
The investigator's name is Mark A. Gingras, and the investigation was commissioned on May 17, 2023. The township manager placed Fisher on paid administrative leave within a day of the video becoming public.
Notably, Peña-Rivera has asked the county court to reverse his plea, and a hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 23. The motorcyclist's plea reversal hearing has been delayed twice.
As the investigation continues, the Manheim Township community waits for the outcome, hoping for clarity and potential changes in police practices and training.
