Fired Upper Darby cops to be reinstated

TWO UPPER DARBY police officers who were fired earlier this year for an undisclosed incident caught on camera will be reinstated today, said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood.

Patrolmen Ryan Wisely, 32, and Michael Givens, 39, were fired in July by Mayor Thomas N. Micozzie after surveillance cameras at the police station captured an incident June 15 involving the officers and three juveniles that was a "violation of Township and Police Department policy and procedures," a release from Micozzie said.

Township officials refused to discuss what was on the video or the nature of the allegations. According to reports from the time, the kids were arrested for shoplifting and a 17-year-old among them may have been assaulted by one or more of the officers while in custody.

One of the officers reported the incident to a supervisor, and both were fired. On June 16, Chitwood asked the Delaware County District Attorney's Office to investigate. That investigation, which is looking into any possible criminal charges against the officers, remains ongoing, according to Emily Harris, spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office.

The patrolmen are being reinstated today as a result of a ruling by an arbitrator last week, Chitwood said. Their seniority with the department will remain intact, but they will receive no back pay.

Harris said it's unlikely the tape will ever be released because it involves juveniles.

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