How much it cost Morrisville to settle with its former police chief George McClay

Morrisville Council will pay a six-figure settlement to its former police chief six months after he was “immediately”  terminated for an alleged pattern of unbecoming conduct and abusing his authority.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, council approved a $200,000 payout for George McClay to settle his claims of illegal termination. The payout included $55,000 in unpaid PTO, council President Helen Hlahol said.

McClay, a retired Philadelphia police lieutenant, had led the small police department since 2014.  Following his termination McClay denied the charges against him and vowed to fight to get his job back.

Before the vote Tuesday, councilman Scott Robinson, a vocal critic of McClay, attempted to speak about the “vicious misinformation and disinformation” aired during public comment in the months before, and after, McClay’s departure.

But before Robinson could finish, the borough solicitor interrupted, calling the matter a personnel issue.

The settlement brings an end to an ugly chapter for the riverfront borough that divided council members and residents who supported — and opposed — McClay’s blunt, hands-on leadership style.

The lingering bitterness among residents who championed McClay was apparent on Tuesday night.

“I feel it was dishonest of you to get rid of George McClay,” said one man, who said he had been a borough resident since 1974. “Whether you liked him or not. I thought he did a hell of a job.”

Here are the highlights of the tenure of George McClay in Morrisville:

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What is the back story of George McClay’s dismissal in Morrisville

Documents obtained through Right to Know requests show the council first took action against McClay in July 2023. In November, the council voted 6-2 to immediately dismiss McClay, while he was out of the country on a planned vacation.

McClay appealed his termination before the borough’s Civil Service Commission and he opted to make the hearing public. But after the first hearing in December, the case was suspended indefinitely.

What is known about the division between Morrisville council and  George McClay

Council members and McClay never publicly addressed the reasons behind the conflict with McClay.

In his only public statement, McClay said he always worked to maintain a “high quality work ethic” in his role.

“My actions have consistently demonstrated a commitment to the safety of the citizens of Morrisville Borough and my police officers,” McClay wrote.

The alleged charges against him only came to light after McClay opted for a public hearing.  A copy of the statement of charges against McClay was then obtained from the commission through a Right to Know request.

According to testimony and a copy of the statement of charges, the council alleged mistreatment of borough manager, interference in borough business outside his police work and other accusations about his work as chief. There were never any findings to resolve the allegations as the hearing was halted and a settlement reached, but the chief maintained he did nothing wrong.

What is the future for the Morrisville police department?

Before the end of the Tuesday meeting Robinson started speaking about the positive changes in the police department culture following McClay’s departure.

“What is going on downstairs, a lot of it you can’t see, it’s going on behind closed doors, but there is definitely an improvement in the culture,” Robinson said. “A priceless improvement of the culture.”

The councilman started offering as an example of the change involving officer complaint form,  but he was stopped by the solicitor who warned he was stepping into personnel matters and asked him to stop.

The department has been overseen by Gerald Simpson, a retired police chief-turned law enforcement consultant council hired in December.

Simpson, who owns Rarefied Leadership Group, served as director of police administration while search for a new full-time chief continues. Council agreed to pay him $120 an hour for a 36-hour work week, but his last day on the job was May 21.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Morrisville agrees to settlement with ex-chief George McClay