Falls Township Police Chief Placed On Paid Leave

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — Falls Township Police Chief Nelson Whitney was placed on paid leave on Tuesday following a no-confidence vote by members of the police union.

According to the Bucks County Courier Times, Whitney, a long-time member of the police force, was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into his leadership and conduct as police chief.

A no-confidence vote by the police department's union is believed to be the main reason for Nelson's administrative leave. LevittownNow.com obtained a letter sent to the township by union president Officer Edward Elmore, which saw 40 votes saying they had no confidence in Whitney's leadership.

In the letter, Elmore said that officers were becoming disillusioned with the morale of the department, as well as the leadership of Whitney. Elmore said that he "displays a contempt for the officers under him".

Nelson started as acting police chief of the department in September of 2020 and was officially made chief the following January. He began his career with the Falls Township Police Department in 1988 and has been an integral part of several high-profile cases, including the Terry Brooks cold case.

While Nelson is on leave, the police department will see Officer Henry Ward fill in as acting police chief.