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LIGONIER, Pa. \u2014 UPDATE: The board has decided to fire Police Chief John Berger. Stay with Channel 11 News for more details from Tuesday’s meeting.<\/p>\n
#BREAKING<\/a>: Motion to fire Chief John Berger made and carried. <\/p>\n Berger has been fired from the Ligonier Valley Police Department. @WPXI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Andrew Havranek \ud83d\udcfa (@Andrew_Havranek) May 9, 2023<\/a> <\/p>\n There are still many unknowns surrounding the raid at the Ligonier Valley Police Department.<\/p>\n “I know there’s no desire to go back to life the way it was before Thursday,” said Department Attorney Mark Sorice.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Ligonier Valley police chief on leave after department escorted by federal agents<\/p>\n Last Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security and the Pennsylvania State Police raided the police department.<\/p>\n They confiscated Chief John Berger’s phone and police vehicle. Now, an internal investigation is underway, according to Sorice.<\/p>\n “We are trying to review the operations associated with his management of the department,” he said.<\/p>\n After the attack. the board placed Berger on administrative leave. During a regularly scheduled board meeting Tuesday evening, members will vote on whether or not to fire him.<\/p>\n “There is concern that he may not be able to continue in an effective capacity for the department upon his return,” Sorice said.<\/p>\n Sorice said they received no warning before the raid, but the investigation is only focusing on Berger.<\/p>\n What investigators are looking into is not yet clear, as the search warrants are sealed.<\/p>\n “Small town life, there are tons of rumors, but I chose not to speculate,” Sorice added.<\/p>\n The investigation remains ongoing and no charges have been filed.<\/p>\n But Sorice said the board needs to address it immediately to make sure the public knows the department takes issues like this seriously.<\/p>\n “There’s no doubt that the community is still protected, in fact, it’s doing better at this point given the circumstances,” Sorice said.<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow the news of Channel 11 Facebook<\/a> i Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/p>\n MAIN STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92023 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n