Pennsylvania Police Chief Loses Appeal Over Department Cutback

A Pennsylvania township didn’t violate its police chief’s constitutional rights when it eliminated the police department and ended his disability payments for an on-the-job injury, the Third Circuit said Tuesday.

John Dondero had a rocky relationship with the Lower Milford Township board of supervisors. He often publicly disagreed with them about safety policies and practices, and openly campaigned for one supervisor’s election challenger.

While on duty in June 2015, Dondero suffered temporary but serious and debilitating injuries when he responded to a fire call. At the time, Dondero was the only active member of the police department, and state police ...