Fired SRU police chief accused of stealing
SLIPPERY ROCK — Former Slippery Rock University Chief of Police Michael Simmons was charged Monday with four felony counts.
Simmons was being charged with theft of $23,477.33, along with other felonies of theft by deception, access device fraud and receiving stolen property. The charges were filed in the Butler County Magisterial District Court of William O’Donnell in Slippery Rock.
State police were asked by the university to conduct the investigation, which uncovered several irregularities in budget funds, according to Trooper Todd Adamski of the Pennsylvania State Police Special Investigations Division.
In a statement released by the university, SRU President William Behre said, “While we are shocked that someone in this position of authority would exhibit such behavior, I want to assure everyone that at no time were Simmons’ actions any threat to the health, safety and well-being of the campus community.”
Simmons is scheduled to be arraigned at 2 p.m. June 26.
According to the release, SRU placed Simmons on administrative leave Feb. 13 after concerns about his performance emerged, and he was fired Feb. 26 once the irregularities were confirmed.
“We have fully cooperated with the investigation and support the findings. At this point all further action regarding Simmons is in the hands of the criminal justice system,” Behre said.
Robb King, a university spokesman, said SRU hired Simmons in January of 2011 into the role of director and chief of the department. Immediately before the position at SRU Simmons served in a security role at the Community College of Allegheny County.
He had also served as the police chief for the Titusville Police Department and was a detective with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police within the Internal Affairs Department.
