By Amy Batista, Special Writer
After two years of being suspended, Police Officer Frank Marchione may be fired tonight.
The Borough Council is expected to vote on a resolution that, if passed, would result in the termination of Officer Marchione. He has been suspended since Aug. 22, 2013.
The proposed resolution comes as a result of a hearing officer’s recommendations to fire Officer Marchione and recoup the salary that was paid to him while he was suspended.
Officer Marchione was charged in January with being “unfit for duty.“ Four additional charges were levied against him on March 12.
He was first investigated in October 2013 after being accused of having sex while on duty. He was also accused and cleared of an alleged incident that occurred on June 14, 2013 involving then Hightstown Engine Co. No. 1 Deputy Scott Jenkins.
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s office reviewed the allegations of misconduct for criminal prosecution and determined that it was not warranted under the circumstances.
The charges brought against Officer Marchione alleged that he was incapable and/or unable of performing his duties as a police officer because he was not fit for duty; incapable and/or unable of performing his duties as a police officer because he was prohibited from carrying, using or being near weapons by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office; and no longer qualifies to be a police officer and is unable to perform his duties because he is no longer authorized to carry a firearm, which is a requirement under New Jersey law, according to the resolution.
The hearing on the charges took place on Feb. 11, Feb. 20, April 14, and April 15. The hearing officer found on Sept. 8 that “based upon all of the above, the Borough of Hightstown has proven by a preponderance of the credible evidence that Officer Marchione was and remains unfit for duty as a police officer,” according to the proposed resolution.
Residents, family and friends came forward at the council’s Jan. 20 meeting to support Officer Marchione and ask for his reinstatement. At that time, Renee Klein, of East Windsor, alleged his career was being destroyed “because of one man’s accusations and a police department who clearly has a vendetta against him.”
She alleged two doctors cleared Officer Marchione medically and said he was fit for duty.
“Then they sent him to a third doctor to be evaluated in which the outcome was that he failed,” Ms. Klein said.
