SCRANTON – Former Scranton Police Chief Dan Duffy says a video gone viral online shows exactly what not to do as a police officer.
Duffy now serves as the Director of the Police Academy at Lackawanna College.
After watching Chief Mark Kessler’s YouTube Video, he said he was nothing short of appalled and embarrassed.
“This is exactly what a law enforcement officer should not be doing out there publicly, especially identifying himself as a law enforcement officer. It`s an embarrassment to us,” said Duffy.
Duffy is talking about video posted by Gilberton Borough Police Chief Mark Kessler in Schuylkill County.
Kessler shouts profane language while shooting automatic weapons, all apparently to send a message to people who don’t agree with his views.
"As appalled as I am on one end, I`m actually thankful for it because this is an easy way to summarize what not to do in law enforcement,” said Duffy.
Duffy now plans to use the video in his law enforcement classes at Lackawanna College. Duffy is Scranton’s former Police Chief and says Kessler’s actions could hurt his ability to testify in court.
"Will this be used to impeach his credibility as a witness? And that`s what we in law enforcement do, we`re professional witnesses. And that`s what we have to think about,” said Duffy.
The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics for Police Officers states clearly that, “…I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions."
Although Duffy says Chief Kessler has a First Amendment right to free speech, and a Second Amendment right to bear arms, he still things the chief is out of line.
"Just because we can doesn`t mean we should, and in this particular case here, that type of behavior should not be put out there to the public,” said Duffy. "I could tell you he would never be working for me, that`s for certain."
The Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Office in Harrisburg says it would be up to the Borough of Gilberton whether or not this video would effect Chief Kessler’s employment.
The borough tells Newswatch 16 they stand behind their chief.