WILKES-BARRE, Pa. -- A Wilkes-Barre police officer accused of sexually assaulting four women is no longer with the department.
City officials say Robert Collins, 53, of Mountain Top, retired last week. He was on the force for more than a decade.
Collins is facing felony charges accused of sexually assaulting four women in his police cruiser between 2013 and 2014.
Collins was suspended with pay before this retirement.
According to police union officials, Collins is able to collect his pension because he is over the age of 50 and has enough time in serving the city.
Collins gets his pension in spite of the serious charges he faces, but according to union officials, Collins is not totally in the clear. There is something called the "Police Forfeiture Act," that allows for a pension to be forfeited in certain circumstances.
It is possible that the city or another entity could go after Collins' pension if he is convicted or pleads guilty to crimes committed on the job.
Collins is out on bail while the sexual assault investigation continues. He's due back in court to face charges on March 5, 2019.
Collins is the second Luzerne County police officer accused of sexually assaulting women on the job in recent months.
Mark Icker of Ashley is facing charges he sexually assaulted three women on the job.
