Pennsylvania officer charged with falsifying traffic stops

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Westmoreland County officer is facing charges after he allegedly falsified traffic stops.

According to Westmoreland County Detectives, 18 charges have been filed, with counts of tampering with public records, against Matthew Painter. Painter, who is part of the Jeannette Police Department, was charged on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

Detectives were contacted by officers in July after a review of Painter’s traffic contacts appeared to be inconsistent. During an investigation, Painter was assigned to a specific marked police vehicle equipped with GPS and a light-activated vehicle camera.

He was also wearing a body camera that activates when the emergency lights are reported on. Upon review of the data that was collected, detectives found 18 traffic stops that are believed to be fake between June 18 to July 1.

Detectives noted that at the timestamps from the alleged traffic stops Painter was in another location and that the lights/cameras on his vehicle and vest were never activated. On at least one occasion Painters camera allegedly showed him inside of the police station rather than at a reported stop.

In all of the 18 traffic stops, Painter allegedly gave drivers warnings. However, when detectives reached out to those who Painter reported he warned several said they were never stopped.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters .

“As police chief, I want to reassure the residents and visitors of Jeannette that this was an isolated issue and it is not a practice tolerated by this department. We will continue to uphold the law and answer every call to protect the citizens of Jeannette,” Jeannette Police Chief Derek Manley said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.