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GunnerVV (Creative Commons)
World News

Police officer suspended for attending church while on duty

Middletown Borough Council in the US state of Pennsylvania approved Mark Hovan's penalty, following a recommendation by local police chief George Mouchette.

Mr Hovan told the local Press & Journal news website: "I never lied about it".

The patrol officer was summoned to a meeting with Mr Mouchette on 7th November in a letter which made four accusations of 'neglect of duty' and 'inefficiency' against him.

Mr Hovan told the Press & Journal said he had been going to church during shifts throughout his 19-year service at Middletown Police Department in order to mark six Catholic holy days.

A devout Catholic, Mr Hovan previously received a warning after he attended Mass on 8th January 2017.

It is unclear whether the patrol officer will be paid during his suspension period, a punishment which was borough councillors passed by four votes to one - plus one abstention.

In an earlier interview with the Press & Journal, Mr Movan claimed his constitutional right to practise freedom of religion had been "infringed upon" and that the police department had made "no accommodation" for his religious beliefs.

 
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