A high-ranking official resigned from the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office earlier this month after having a few sips of beer at a reception then driving home in a county car, which violated department policy, county sources said.
Lieutenant Deputy George McClay stepped down from his role after the incident, which occurred during a department reception held at Chambers 19, a Doylestown restaurant, after a July 9 promotion and new hire ceremony at the nearby county courthouse, according to county sources familiar with the incident but not authorized to comment on personnel matters.
Operating a county vehicle after drinking is a policy violation. McClay, 63, was not accused of driving under the influence, nor wearing his uniform during the incident.
Sheriff Danny Ceisler, a Democrat who took office in January, confirmed that McClay had stepped down, but would not provide details on an “HR situation.” McClay handled standards enforcement and discipline in the office and there was a conversation among command staff around July 11 as to whether he could properly do that job given the policy infraction, Ceisler said.
“The collective group felt that he would not be able to do it,” Ceisler said. “He offered his resignation.”
“It’s pretty difficult once someone has publicly committed a policy violation to have credibility to do that job,” he added.
Ceisler said he expects to eventually fill McClay’s position.
McClay denied being asked to step down in an interview Friday, saying the decision to leave was his own.
“I’m retired,” he said in a call from his home in Ocean County. “I’m 63, and it was time to go.”
When asked about the policy violation, McClay said he had “no idea” what a reporter was referring to. He chose to retire now, he said, because it’s summertime and he wanted to enjoy the season.
McClay’s seven-month stint with the sheriff’s office capped off a 40-year career in law enforcement, more than half of which he spent as a Philadelphia Police officer.
“Lt. McClay has spent over four decades in public service and deserves the opportunity to relax with his family and enjoy life,” Ceisler said.
Most recently, McClay served as the chief of police in Morrisville, a Bucks County municipality across the Delaware River from Trenton.
His nine-year tenure in Morrisville ended in a contentious dispute with the borough council, who terminated him in November 2023 amid allegations he had mistreated other borough officials and influenced matters that were beyond his authority as police chief, according to a report from The Bucks County Courier-Times.
Residents spoke out in favor of McClay at the time, criticizing the council for voting to fire him while he was on vacation and defending his record as a public servant.
McClay appealed his termination, calling it illegal, and was eventually awarded a $200,000 settlement by the borough council.