CRANBERRY TWP — The township police department recently had a staff shake-up with two officers being fired, three being suspended and another one retiring.

Scott Carney, who was a probationary officer, was terminated Dec. 1. Officer Michael Pszenny was terminated Dec. 18, according to documents released by the township after a Right To Know Law request was filed by the Butler Eagle.

The reasons for their terminations were not released.

To ensure due process and to maintain compliance with collective bargaining agreements, the township is “legally unable” to provide any additional information about the terminations, township manager Jerry Andree said in a statement.

Frank Evanson, who was a corporal, submitted his resignation Dec. 18. Though he is no loner working for the department, he remains on the payroll until March 31.

In letters dated Dec. 18, three officers, whose names were redacted, were notified by Andree that they would serve a three day suspension to be scheduled by the chief.

The departures take the department down to 26 uniformed personnel, according to the township website.

The loss is not causing any staffing problems, Andree said.

He said the township can use the candidate applications it received last summer to help find replacements now.

No one would talk about the personnel changes.

Pszenny declined to comment.

Carney, who was one of two new officers sworn in last June, did not return calls for comment.

Sgt. Chuck Mascellino, police department spokesman, said the department, including Chief Kevin Meyer, would not comment.

All five township supervisors declined to comment on the situation and deferred to Andree.

In Cranberry, the township manager has the authority to terminate township employees. The supervisors must approve all hirings and appointments, but they do not need to vote on discipline of employees.

However, the supervisors did vote to ratify one of the terminations at a special meeting at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 21.

Information in the minutes of that meeting won’t be available until they are approved Thursday by the supervisors.

The township solicitor declined to comment. The president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 107, which represents the department, did not return calls for comment.

The next supervisors meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the municipal center, 2525 Rochester Road.