The City of York
Pennsylvania
101 South George Street PO Box 509 York PA 17405
www.yorkcity.org

The Honorable C. Kim Bracey, Mayor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MICHAEL
DOWEARY

PHONE: 717-849-2263

Public Statement by the City of York
and the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police
This statement is issued jointly by Les Neri, State FOP Lodge President, York City Police
Chief Wes Kahley, and City Business Administrator Michael Doweary. We are pleased to
announce that the City of York, White Rose FOP Lodge No. 15, and certain individual
officers have reached a universal settlement of all outstanding labor disputes.
Over the past several weeks, there have been a series of newspaper articles and social
media postings suggesting improper conduct by officers in the Department as well as
unsupported discipline of other officers. The purpose of this public statement is to set
the record straight and clear the air.
First, the City Administration, the Senior Management of the Police Department and the
FOP can unequivocally state that there have been investigations by both an outside law
enforcement agency as well as a comprehensive internal review into all allegations of
police misconduct. Both reviews have found the allegations to be unsupported. The
individuals who brought these now unfounded allegations forward recognize that there
are departmental procedures through which they could have raised their concerns and
understand that they will avail themselves of those procedures in the future.
Second, the members of the York City Police Department, the City and the FOP all
understand that personal integrity is an essential requirement for each officer who wears
the Department’s badge and uniform and serves the public. This Administration and the
FOP firmly believe that there is no place for dishonesty in public service and that the
confidence of a community in its police officers is critical for public safety.
Finally, our efforts to address and resolve the issues which spilled onto the front page of
the news do not end with this statement. There will be meetings involving Chief Kahley,
State FOP President Les Neri and White Rose Lodge officials as well as meetings between
all rank and file Officers to ensure that every Officer remains dedicated to serving the
residents of this community.
In closing, Chief Kahley, the FOP and the Officers understand that it is a privilege to
serve the citizens of the City of York. The community deserves the very best from its
Police Department and our focus going forward is to continue to deliver on that pledge.