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Council tells Police Chief to keep temper in check

By DENISE de VINES

HONESDALE -- Following the Borough council's reprimand, Police Chief Frank Rosler's matter-of-fact manner continues to spur controversy, but he also has his defenders.

Rosler's refusal to obey orders from Mayor Michael O'Day regarding purchase of cell phones and his alleged death threat against a Borough employee resulted in the council issuing a disciplinary action notice on April 22. The letter warned Rosler that he would be subject to "discharge, suspension and/or demotion". No further disciplinary action was taken at the May board meeting.

Still, the council has issues with Rosler's temper. Addressing the police chief's "run in" with another employee, the council's letter of reprimand cautioned Rosler that his actions were the result of "your inability to properly control your anger…and your threat to harm or even kill him was a grossly inappropriate response to the situation." Additionally, the letter chastised Rosler's arrogance and profanity. It advised him that "if you should do so again you are subject to termination of your employment."

Rosler admits he's "not perfect," but stands behind his 27-year service record. "Yeah, I don't take BS but I have to approach each situation on its own merit. If someone gives you a raspberry, you give it back," he explained.

But when Rosler discussed the impact on his family, his tone was quiet and gentle, "I'd love to address their allegations, but my mother and children live here. They've already been dragged into this… but I'm not going to lower myself to sling mud. To protect and serve includes my family."

Local businessman Jim Brennan, said in Rosler's defense, that the police chief does a pretty good job. "The good outweighs the bad."

Rosler, who has been on the force since 1972 and chief since 1982, attributed some of his demeanor to changes in the community and police department. "In the 70's and 80's, we had ten full-time guys and five part-timer guys, and about 170 cases. In 1998, we had six full-timers and five part-time guys and turned 521 cases," he said.

Lt. Tom Le Strange of the Honesdale Borough Police said that there is a "chronic need for more people that goes back many years." Five officer applicants were approved for part-time hire at the April council meeting but their actual start dates are not yet determined. Le Strange noted that before new officers actually join the force they typically go through a process that includes physical and psychological testing.