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City officials: Bonner acting chief

CUMBERLAND — A local radio station's reports that the city's police chief was removed from his job are not accurate, Cumberland officials said. WCBC radio Thursday reported Cumberland Police Chief Chuck Ternent was 'out' and 'has been relieved of his duties.' In response to questions from the Cumberland Times-News Friday, City Administrator Jeff Silka said via statement that the radio station's reports and social media posts need 'correction and clarification' regarding Ternent's employment status. 'After 32 years of loyal service to the city of Cumberland and its citizens, Chief Ternent has, for some time, been contemplating retirement in order to pursue other career opportunities which have become available,' Silka said. 'Recently, Chief Ternent has been off work addressing some health issues,' he said. 'In his absence, Lt. Eric Bonner will serve as acting chief.' Background According to the city's website, Ternent holds a master's degree in management from Johns Hopkins University. Chuck Ternent mug CHUCK TERNENT He joined the Cumberland Police Department in 1992, served as a detective assigned to the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit, became a sergeant in 2003 and over the years climbed the ranks to became police chief in 2020. In recent years, Ternent has been credited for securing outside funding for various needs, such as a $330,750 grant to support police activities including crime reduction patrols, targeted enforcement, intelligence gathering, apprehension of violent criminals and streamlining information sharing to address gang and drug trafficking. Bonner Bonner joined the department in 2002, according to the city's website. He is a 2003 graduate of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy, 2001 graduate of Fairmont State University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice law enforcement and minor in sociology, and was employed by the Ocean City Police Department. Bonner is a 2005 graduate of the University of Maryland's Institute for Advanced Law Enforcement studies and a 2006 graduate of Castle's K-9 school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Bonner has served 'as a patrol officer, K-9 handler, corporal and sergeant,' according to the website. Burt Silka last month said because of confidentiality and privacy laws that deal with personnel, he could not comment on or confirm a report about police department Capt. James Burt. At that time, WCBC radio reported Burt was 'suspended from his duties.' James Burt Capt. James Burt Friday, Silka said Burt is 'currently employed' by the city. Burt served as patrol commander and administrative lieutenant, and won the department's Top Gun Award seven times during his career. 'He also attended and graduated from the United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation — FBI National Academy — Class #275 — in 2019,' according to the website. Currently, Burt 'is the department's training coordinator,' according to the website.