Collingdale police officer resigns days after swearing in: official sources
New Collingdale police officer resigns days as he faces several charges
Kevon Darden, 28, a police officer who was just sworn in to the Collingdale Police Department, has resigned Thursday and is facing charges in Upper Providence Township.
COLLINGDALE, Pa. - Collingdale has had its fair share of controversial issues.
A police officer who was just sworn in to the Collingdale Police Department, has resigned Thursday and is facing several charges.
What we know:
On Thursday, Collingdale Mayor Donna Matteo-Spadea confirmed officer Kevon Darden had resigned.
Court documents show Darden was charged Thursday for an incident that occurred in Upper Providence Township back in April 2023.
Darden is facing the following charges: Terroristic Threats with intent to Terrorize Another, Possession of Instrument Of Crime, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Disorderly Conduct and Harrassment.
What they're saying:
In a statement provided to FOX 29 News, Pennsylvania State Police Troop K explained the delay in filing the charges against Darden.
"In short, there was forensic evidence that was sent to the lab which took quite a while to process and receive which held up the case," they explained, adding that input was needed from the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.
"While not common, there are times and circumstances that delay the filing of charges. This appears to be one of those instances."
Collingdale Mayor Donna Matteo-Spadea did not comment on the charges Darden is facing. However, she did give a comment regarding her refusal to swear him on Sunday.
"I'm happy for the fact that I stuck to my beliefs, and that I did not swear him in, knowing full well I did not have any information on him as an officer, or a person. I have no idea who did the background check. I never met the gentleman."
Borough Manager C Michael Robinson commented on the matter Thursday saying "it’s extremely convenient and coincidental that we find ourselves in this situation again, months after this happened almost exactly in the same fashion, to another Black man, who was looking to join this department."
This is in reference to when a standing room only crowd came to protest the planned hiring of Rhaheem Blanden back in September 2024.
"The charges are unsettling, but they are over two years old. And I question why the district attorney waited until today to investigate this matter," Robinson continued.
The backstory:
On Sunday, January 12, Borough Manager, C. Michael Robinson, put out a statement outlining more staffing issues with the police department, saying the borough had to call an emergency meeting to ensure they had coverage on Sunday night.
After current officers declined overtime to cover Sunday's shift, officials decided to swear in Officer Kevon Darden to provide "critical coverage."
Darden is one of four new officers whose hire was recently approved by the borough's council, along with the reinstatement of another officer.
Robinson told FOX 29’s Kelly Rule over the phone they chose to bring in Officer Kevon Darden early. Officer Darden was supposed to be sworn in with three other new officers during Tuesday night’s council meeting, but he agreed to start earlier, so the department had staffing on Sunday night.
Robinson says Darden is not new to law enforcement or Delaware County, and previously completed the police academy.
Traditionally, the mayor or a judge would do the swearing in. However, Mayor of Collingdale, Donna Matteo Spadea, says she did not feel comfortable swearing in an officer to immediately start working that she had no information on, so she refused to do so.
Robinson says they went to a Notary Public to swear Officer Darden in early, and he says it is legal, according to the borough solicitor.
It’s the latest controversy in Collingdale following the hiring of a new police chief, Shanee Mitchell, back in November. Her new leadership came at a time when the borough council is deeply divided, and the state police had to help with responding to off-hour calls.
The Source: The information in this story is from Collingdale officials and Delaware County court documents.