West Penn Township’s chief of police is currently on administrative suspension.

At the onset of Tuesday morning’s meeting, township Supervisor Glenn Hummel introduced all those in attendance, as is custom before each board of supervisors meeting.

Among those introduced were township police Sgt. John Kaczmarczyk, whom Hummel introduced as sergeant in charge.

After the meeting, Supervisor Glenn Hummel said an “internal investigation involving an employee of the township” is currently underway.

“There are a lot of rumors out there I’d love to quell, but I can’t,” Hummel said. “It will be addressed at next month’s meeting; by then, we should have all the information that we need.”

Hummel added that James Bonner is still the chief of the police department, but that he has been on administrative suspension since Sept. 4.

Contacted Tuesday afternoon following the meeting, board Chairman Tony Prudenti said Bonner is on paid administrative suspension.

He said Kaczmarczyk, was appointed as sergeant in charge on Sept. 4.

Kaczmarczyk is a 17-year member of the force. Overall, he has 34 years experience.

West Penn Township supervisors are scheduled to hold their next meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 7.

Bonner previously applied for a full-time officer position in Lansford, and the motion to hire him was tabled at a meeting.

Bonner and West Penn Township are subjects of a federal lawsuit alleging excessive force, misconduct and violation of constitutional rights, according to published accounts. The complaint was filed in September 2023.

At its April 1 meeting, West Penn Township supervisors promoted two members of the township’s police force.

Bonner requested promotions for Kaczmarczyk, who was corporal, and patrolman Jason Lorah.

Kaczmarczyk was promoted to sergeant and Lorah as the rank of corporal.

Bonner said Lorah has worked for the department for years and had retired with the rank of sergeant. He recently returned as a patrolman, Bonner said, and had been covering a multitude of shifts.

Bonner was hired as West Penn Township’s police chief in October 2021. He replaced longtime Chief Brian Johnson, who retired from the position in August 2021. Bonner had held the title of officer in charge the two months prior.

Bonner has been with West Penn Township since 2016, and has also had stints with the Lansford, Coaldale, and Bethlehem departments. Bonner also worked for both the Carbon and Lehigh County Sheriff’s offices.