LANCASTER TWP — A former township police officer will not face criminal charges after an incident involving a local resident’s arrest.

David Sitler, the former 20-year veteran and officer-in-charge of the township’s police department, is not being charged after a two-month investigation by state police.

“Based on the investigation ... I’ve decided that I don’t think we can prove criminal charges and we’re not going to charge officer Sitler,” said District Attorney Rich Goldinger.

State police trooper Dan Kesten confirmed the investigation was complete and Sitler would not face charges.

Sitler was released from the police department on Oct. 28 after an incident involving the alleged use of excessive force in the arrest of a township man.

“Your termination is a result of your neglect, violation of an official duty, intemperance and conduct unbecoming an officer,” the township’s termination notice to Sitler states.

Goldinger said the investigation included viewing the video and interviewing Sitler, witnesses and an investigating officer.

The alleged incident took place on Oct. 6 and was captured on camera, which was used as evidence in the investigation.

Resident Kent Bowers was arrested after making alleged threats toward his family. Bowers, who was intoxicated at the time, was taken out of his home by police.

Bowers has lived in the township for about 10 months and said before the incident, he had no interaction with Sitler. He previously lived in Cranberry Township.

He said when Sitler opened the police vehicle’s passenger door, he put his knee on Bowers’ ribs.

A police report filed that day said Bowers tried to wrap his legs around Sitler.

“They (ribs) were sore for about six weeks,” Bowers said. “Then he tried to charge me with aggravated assault. I was handcuffed.”

Neighbor Michael Hall said he witnessed the incident.

Officers from the state police, Lancaster Township, Zelienople and Jackson Township departments responded.

Hall said “everything was handled professionally up to that point.”

He said after Bowers was brought out of the house and placed into Sitler’s police car, Bowers became “a little agitated and impatient.”

“They spoke to him sternly, but not out of line,” Hall said.

Soon afterward, Bowers and Sitler exchanged words while the former was still in the police car.

Bowers said he knocked his head against the vehicle’s window to get Sitler’s attention.

“Some words were exchanged. Kent (Bowers) was intoxicated, but he was handcuffed,” Hall said. “Some name-calling went down and Dave (Sitler) laid him out across the seat of the car.”

Bowers sat back up in the police car after the brief struggle.

“I didn’t see everything, but I didn’t like what I saw,” Hall said. “I thought the force was a bit excessive.”

Hall filed a formal complaint with the township police department after the incident.

“If you simply watched the video, you might say, ‘Yeah, maybe he should be charged,’” Goldinger said. “The officer putting himself in officer Sitler’s shoes just felt that, ‘I understand his actions and I don’t think there was a criminal act here.’”

Goldinger would not comment on the ethical nature of Sitler’s actions.

Township officer Chris Altman said it is not known at this time if Sitler will be rehired by the township.

He would not comment any further on the issue.

Goldinger said while he has not been notified if a lawsuit will follow, he said he is “sure that could come down the pipe.”

“I’m not sure that we have had more than five investigations in my nine years here as D.A. involving police officers as suspects,” he said.

Bowers said he plans on taking legal action against Sitler.

“I feel I deserve a settlement,” Bowers said. “I look at it as police brutality. I didn’t need to be treated that way.”