A State College Police Officer is under investigation as a suspect for thefts from the State College Police Department’s evidence room after police discovered evidence of theft on April 22, according to a release from SCPD.

The name of the suspected officer was not issued as part of the release, but the department said that he or she has been placed on leave, including the removal of access to the police facility and other police systems. The suspension is in place pending the completion of both internal affairs and criminal investigations, and police say that appropriate employment and criminal actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigations.

Due to the fact that the theft was potentially committed by a member of the police force, Chief of State College Police Thomas King contacted the Pennsylvania State Police to both request an initiate conduct investigation who have begun a criminal investigation. The Centre County District Attorney has also been made aware of the developments.

Police have vowed to hold the violating officer accountable for his or her actions as part of their responsibility to the community, but because the incident is a personal matter of internal affairs, State College Police are not able to provide any information. They encourage individuals to direct inquiries about the criminal investigation to the Pennsylvania State Police in Hollidaysburg or the Centre County District Attorney.