HARRISBURG — The head of the Pennsylvania State Police says that the agency is investigating suspected cheating at its academy, and that anyone found to have cheated would “face swift and certain discipline.”
State Police Commissioner Tyree Blocker said in a statement Thursday that at the end of December, internal affairs at the state police initiated “a full and comprehensive investigation” into the suspected cheating.
“This investigation has already included dozens of interviews and an extensive collection of evidence through all available means,” he said.
He said the state police are committed to upholding the honor of the force.
“As the leader of this agency, I assure the people of Pennsylvania that we will leave no stone unturned and those who engaged in such behavior face swift and certain discipline,” he said.
“I will make sure that each and every person involved is held accountable on behalf of our troopers — active and retired — who have built the Pennsylvania State Police into the respected organization it is today.”
He said the state police will provide no additional statements until the investigation concludes.
Asked Wednesday about the matter, Gov. Tom Wolf said: “That is a personnel matter. I don’t comment on that. But, to the extent that it’s true, that there was cheating, we can’t tolerate that. That is absolutely unacceptable, and I won’t tolerate it.”
In response to a question about if the agency itself should be in charge of investigating any misconduct, he said, “We’ll work out the best way to find out if cheating actually went on, and people will pay the price.”
Allegations that as many as 40 cadets from the 144th class, scheduled to graduate in March, may have cheated on tests were first reported by ABC27 News in Harrisburg.
The commissioner’s statement said “the agency also stresses that not every cadet who has departed from the 144th class is necessarily implicated in the investigation.”
State police cadets must go through a 27-week training course while residing at the academy in Hershey. Their training includes physical conditioning and academic courses.
First Published: February 4, 2016, 6:33 p.m.
Updated: February 5, 2016, 4:14 a.m.
