The chief of a new regional police department wears a badge, carries a gun and patrols the streets.But Action News Investigates has learned the chief is not state-certified as a police officer.Derrick Turner was hired in March to be chief of the Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police Department, which covers North Braddock, East Pittsburgh and Rankin.Pennsylvania requires officers to be certified to make arrests or traffic stops and to carry a firearm.After he was sworn in as chief in early May, Turner acknowledged he was not yet certified.“One more step to go, and I'll be certified to be able to go out and assist when necessary with my officers,” Turner said.But three weeks earlier, Action News Investigates saw Turner at a traffic accident in North Braddock. He arrived in an unmarked vehicle with flashing police lights. He wore a uniform and a badge and carried a sidearm.“I have a pistol permit for my sidearm and I go out and inspect on what I expect. So I only do what the officers ask me to assist them with,” Turner said.When it comes to having a pistol permit, State Police spokesperson Cpl. Adam Reed said, “A non-certified individual would be acting in the same capacity a private citizen without arrest powers would be."Frank Monaco said he did not carry a weapon before he got certified to be chief in Plum.“I knew I couldn't, so it was foolish for me to even try,” he said.Monaco needed certification even after a 32-year career with the State Police. While waiting for certification, he did not go out on the street.“Couldn't make a traffic stop. Couldn't write a traffic citation. Couldn't make a criminal arrest. All I could do was act like a citizen like anybody else could,” Monaco said.Turner said he is not making arrests or writing tickets. But Monaco said going out with other officers while carrying a gun could put them and the public in jeopardy.“You pull somebody over for something small, you don't know what it's going to turn into if that person has drugs or they're wanted for something. You get into a shootout or a high-speed pursuit, then what?” Monaco said.Officials in Eastern Regional communities said they were not aware that Turner was working the streets and carrying a weapon without certification. But they were not concerned.“We have an awesome, awesome, awesome chief. And I'm glad that he's here,” said North Braddock Mayor Cletus Lee.“I think he'll do what he needs to do. I have a lot of faith in him,” said East Pittsburgh Council President Mary Carol Kennedy.Before coming to the Mon Valley, Turner was chief of the airport police in Mobile, Alabama. He also worked as an officer for the Port of Portland Oregon police and the Flint and Kalamazoo departments in Michigan.A bodycam video released by Kalamazoo police showed Turner grabbing a suspect by the throat in 2017. According to media reports, the Kalamazoo chief reprimanded Turner. Kalamazoo officials refused to comment.“That was a learning experience. I mean, I can tell you all of that was a very unfortunate incident. What I learned from that was the importance of relationships with our community,” Turner said.“I don't think anyone expects to find any person in police work that has a completely stainless record,” Kennedy said.Turner said he hopes to get certified in the next few weeks.
NORTH BRADDOCK, Pa. —
The chief of a new regional police department wears a badge, carries a gun and patrols the streets.
But Action News Investigates has learned the chief is not state-certified as a police officer.
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Derrick Turner was hired in March to be chief of the Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police Department, which covers North Braddock, East Pittsburgh and Rankin.
Pennsylvania requires officers to be certified to make arrests or traffic stops and to carry a firearm.
After he was sworn in as chief in early May, Turner acknowledged he was not yet certified.
“One more step to go, and I'll be certified to be able to go out and assist when necessary with my officers,” Turner said.
But three weeks earlier, Action News Investigates saw Turner at a traffic accident in North Braddock.
He arrived in an unmarked vehicle with flashing police lights. He wore a uniform and a badge and carried a sidearm.
“I have a pistol permit for my sidearm and I go out and inspect on what I expect. So I only do what the officers ask me to assist them with,” Turner said.
No local police on duty when gun pulled on North Braddock pastor; state police responded per protocol
When it comes to having a pistol permit, State Police spokesperson Cpl. Adam Reed said, “A non-certified individual would be acting in the same capacity a private citizen without arrest powers would be."
Frank Monaco said he did not carry a weapon before he got certified to be chief in Plum.
“I knew I couldn't, so it was foolish for me to even try,” he said.
Monaco needed certification even after a 32-year career with the State Police. While waiting for certification, he did not go out on the street.
“Couldn't make a traffic stop. Couldn't write a traffic citation. Couldn't make a criminal arrest. All I could do was act like a citizen like anybody else could,” Monaco said.
Turner said he is not making arrests or writing tickets. But Monaco said going out with other officers while carrying a gun could put them and the public in jeopardy.
“You pull somebody over for something small, you don't know what it's going to turn into if that person has drugs or they're wanted for something. You get into a shootout or a high-speed pursuit, then what?” Monaco said.
Officials in Eastern Regional communities said they were not aware that Turner was working the streets and carrying a weapon without certification. But they were not concerned.
“We have an awesome, awesome, awesome chief. And I'm glad that he's here,” said North Braddock Mayor Cletus Lee.
“I think he'll do what he needs to do. I have a lot of faith in him,” said East Pittsburgh Council President Mary Carol Kennedy.
Before coming to the Mon Valley, Turner was chief of the airport police in Mobile, Alabama. He also worked as an officer for the Port of Portland Oregon police and the Flint and Kalamazoo departments in Michigan.
A bodycam video released by Kalamazoo police showed Turner grabbing a suspect by the throat in 2017. According to media reports, the Kalamazoo chief reprimanded Turner. Kalamazoo officials refused to comment.
“That was a learning experience. I mean, I can tell you all of that was a very unfortunate incident. What I learned from that was the importance of relationships with our community,” Turner said.
“I don't think anyone expects to find any person in police work that has a completely stainless record,” Kennedy said.
Turner said he hopes to get certified in the next few weeks.
