A Pottsville Police officer is suspended with pay pending an investigation into an alleged domestic incident late last month.
Pottsville Solicitor Tim Pellish confirmed to The Canary that Matthew Waite, 26, is currently suspended with pay. Waite was hired as a Patrolman in December 2023.
According to an affidavit filed at District Court in Orwigsburg, police in Schuylkill Haven were called to Waite’s home on the night of Feb. 28 for a reported domestic dispute.
Prior to their arrival, police say they learned that Waite had left the scene in his vehicle and that he had his service weapon on him at the time.
At the scene, police interviewed the alleged victim of the incident who reportedly said Waite had shoved her to the ground. The alleged victim said she didn’t want Waite to leave and stood in front of his vehicle to prevent him doing so.
She said Waite grabbed her under her arms and shoved her to the ground. Police say the alleged victim showed officers black and blue bruises under her arms.
During the interview, Waite reportedly called the alleged victim’s phone eight times and said he was coming home. Officers from Schuylkill Haven and Orwigsburg arrived at the scene awaiting Waite’s arrival. He was placed in custody and police say they recovered his service weapon from inside the vehicle.
After Waite was read his Miranda rights, police say Waite agreed to answer their questions. He confirmed most of what had already been said by his alleged victim, including that they’d been engaged in a verbal argument and that she did stand in front of his vehicle as he attempted to leave.
Waite, police say, then said that he got out of his vehicle and tried moving the alleged victim “like someone is resisting” and that’s when she fell to the ground.
Waite was arraigned before District Magistrate Judge Stephen Bayer on the night of Feb. 28 and charged with simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, and a summary offense of harassment. Bayer released Waite on $10,000 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing before Judge AJ Serina is scheduled for April 15.
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