The hiring of a former police chief to become Falls Township’s employment operations and chief human resources officer has drawn some scrutiny.
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A source at the township said Daniel Doyle started in the township earlier this month, and joins the government that already employs Sherry McGovern as human resources coordinator.
The Bucks County Courier Times published an article last week that raised the question of whether the township’s hiring of Doyle without it being brought before the public at a meeting violated the state’s Sunshine Act.
Falls Township Board of Supervisors Vice Chairperson Jeff Boraski said the position wasn’t advertised publicly before Doyle was hired.
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The supervisors voted at the meeting to retroactively hire Doyle, with a start date of September 18.
Resident Toni Batiste pressed the supervisors on the hiring and whether it violated the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.
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“This was a board decision to create the position and retain the individual,” said Lauren Gallagher, one of the township’s solicitors.
Michael Clarke, the lead solicitor for the township, said the hiring did not violate the law.
“There’s no violation of the Sunshine Act. This was a personnel matter so everything was permitted to be discussed at executive session,” Clarke said, adding Doyle’s hiring had to be made last week.
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Another resident spoke and asked the board what experience Doyle has as working in human resources.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Boraski said Doyle will be working directly under the township manager on employment matters across the municipality, not just the police department. The vice chairperson said Doyle’s skills are needed.
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Doyle served as chief of the Tullytown Borough Police Department since 2013 and had been an officer in the borough of 2,200 people since 1997. He retired in summer 2022.
Before joining Falls Township, Doyle worked for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit on security and safety matters.
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