Pottsville City Council members voted unanimously Monday to fire a police officer charged with assault and harassment following a domestic altercation with his wife earlier this year.
Patrolman Matthew Waite had been suspended with pay since the alleged incident happened at his Schuylkill Haven home back in February. He was hired in December 2023.
Pottsville Police Chief John Morrow said Monday that an internal investigation was led by Capt. Joseph Welsh. A decision was made to terminate Waite during an executive session held prior to Monday’s regular City Council meeting.
All four members in attendance voted to approve the termination. Councilwoman Dottie Botto was absent.
Charges of simple assault and harassment were held for Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas last month following a preliminary hearing before District Magistrate Judge AJ Serina.
During that preliminary hearing, Waite’s wife, Lindsey, testified that her husband bumped her with his vehicle four times as she attempted to prevent him from leaving their home. She had just taken a new prescription medication and was unsure what its effects would be and didn’t want to leave their young child unattended if she fell asleep.
Testimony was given that the couple had been having martial issues prior to this alleged incident.
The wife’s testimony did counter the narrative from the original police affidavit filed following the alleged incident. There was no mention of the officer bumping his wife with his vehicle.
Instead, she accused Waite of grabbing her under her arms and shoving her to the ground to get her away from his vehicle so he could leave the home that night. Waite argued in the initial investigation of the alleged incident that he handled the situation as if his wife were resisting arrest and moved her out of the way.
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