There has been much ado about Old Lycoming Township Police and Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police conducting speed timing without having the authorization to do so.

Let’s clear the smoke and mirrors and ditch the red herring. What happened during the speed timing by both departments on March 21, 23, and 30 in Old Lycoming Township and March 30 and April 6 in Piatt Township.” Chief DeRemer is quoted in the Aug. 12 Sun-Gazette, “Every attempt was made to be in compliance once I received the correspondence from the district judge.” That correspondence was from District Judge Solomon on April 4. The compliance he referenced involves 16 citations issued by Old Lycoming police in Piatt Township on April 6.

Old Lycoming Township Police Department officers were sent to Piatt Township, for a traffic detail. They did not issue any citations for maximum speed as per State Police rules on divided highways dictates. That appears to confirm that police were in compliance as Chief DeRemer assured the Sun-Gazette. But let’s look a little deeper as we seek the whole truth. Every one of those citations listed as the probable cause (the legal reason) for the stop as maximum speed violation. This seems to be an attempt to circumvent the authorization granted by State Police. Old Lycoming Township police may not issue maximum speed citations in Piatt Township so they stop the vehicle for speeding then cite another vehicle code violation.

Chief DeRemer’s theory appears to be that police did not charge maximum speed violations, therefore the police are in compliance.

This theory breaks down quickly when the probable cause for the vehicle stop is invalid and anything discovered or any other vehicle code violation charged is likewise unenforceable. A flagrant disregard for PSP rules.

What are the potential ramifications?

If a warrant is issued it has no authority. That could lead to a person being arrested, handcuffed, taken from home, business, etc. and taken before a district judge. It is possible a civil lawsuit could be filed.

If a vehicle accident occurs during the detail, all municipalities involved could face civil litigation due to the unauthorized activity, including the April 6 attempt to circumvent the State Police authorization restriction.

Any evidence police might find such as illegal drugs and stolen firearms could be suppressed by the court.

What should have been done?

Officers should have been instructed to withdraw all citations, because they were issued without a legal basis. This should have been done as soon as Chief DeRemer was notified by the district judge.

Accept the responsibility that comes from authorizing these details..”

So, what is the earth shattering issue about 56 total citations issued which were unenforceable? We will look specifically at 16 issued after Chief DeRemer received notice from District Judge Solomon on April 4.

The issue is do we have sound leadership, integrity, and good judgment? Let us break this down.

Why manipulate the facts to achieve some unknown objective? Why compromise one’s integrity to have 16 citations issued by Old Lycoming Township police, especially why compromise one’s integrity when Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police Department had the authority to issue citations in Piatt Township?

Leadership at Old Lycoming Township Police Department and Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police Department appears to have instructed the officers stopping violators to unethically attempt to circumvent the restriction imposed by State Police authorization. This is shown by the fact that the speed violation was listed in a confidential block on the citation.

When I was 12 years old my father called me aside. “Son, tell me the truth, do you have fireworks?” 12 year ole brain engaged, I said “no.” (I had one inch fire crackers, not fireworks). He made a phone call and came back. “Do you have fireworks?” I doubled down “no.” A few interviews later, he discovered the whole truth. I was grounded for the month of June.

I read a lot that month. One of the people I read about was a leader of high integrity, General Dwight D. Eisenhower. On D-Day he had two news releases prepared. One told the world how our troops were advancing on The Third Reich, that the liberation of Europe had begun. The second — that the invasion had failed and, “I have withdrawn our troops”….”If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is MINE ALONE.” He was prepared to accept the full responsibility of his decision. No blaming anyone else. He owned whatever happened. A man with sound leadership qualities, high integrity, and good judgment.

The leadership traits exhibited by our leaders flow down the chain of command and are embraced and emulated by all under their command.

Is this a “witch hunt” or seeking the truth?

James Sortman is a former district judge and police officer with the Old Lycoming Township Police Department.