(Aliquippa, Pa.) Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sanody Giordano
Aliquippa Police Chief Donald A. Couch, Jr. was placed on paid administrative leave by by city council on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Earlier that day, according to facts presented to Chief Couch’s defense attorney ,Colleen Ramage Johnston , Assistant Police Chief Joseph Perciavalle went home early from shift because he was ill, he returned to work in uniform an hour before council’s meeting. He instructed one of the sergeants and 2 officers to accompany him to the city building to escort Chief Couch from the meeting. He was ordered to relinquish his badge before being escorted from the meeting, deeply humiliated and for safety reasons. He turned in his weapon at the police station .Attorney Johnston asked me if I was aware of what would occur at the meeting prior to it. My answer to her was no.
Council said when asked why Couch was placed on administrative leave, there answer to me was “It’s a personnel issue.”
The civil suit includes 3 counts, count 1 is Substantive Due Process , and that the city placed him on leave was based on false and defamatory statements against him, and other issues.Count 2 is Procedural Due Process, in accordance with the Third Class City Code they could only remove him from his position as Chief for cause and then only after notice of the charges and an opportunity to be heard, none of this occurred . The civil suit demands judgment against the city and damages including lost wages , back pay and benefits. Count III is STIGMA PLUS as a result of the city’s actions he has been unable to obtain a chief’s job, his reputation among the community has been irrevocably damaged . He has sustained the injuries and damages including lost wages , employment, emotioan distress, humiliation and inconvenience.
He was hired by the city in 1997, promoted to chief January 1, 2014.
A jury trial is requested in this case.
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