On February 2, 2015, Hummelstown police officer Lisa Mearkle shot and killed local resident David Kassick. Video evidence and other evidence presented by the county district attorney at trial showed that David was unarmed and that he never threatened Officer Mearkle. The video of Mearkle killing David is available at the website of the Dauphin County District Attorney. (Warning: Graphic content)

On November 5, a jury acquitted Mearkle of all criminal charges. Pending her trial, Mearkle was suspended from her job as a police officer. After her acquittal, she told the media that she plans to return to her job.

We believe that Mearkle's actions in the death of David Kassick were unprofessional, inappropriate, and wrong. Further, we believe that the credibility of the Hummelstown Police Department will be greatly diminished if she returns to work and that the citizens of Hummelstown will live in fear of this police officer.

We call on Hummelstown Police Chief Charles Dowell to dismiss Mearkle from her job, effectively immediately.