COLLINGDALE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A police officer with the Collingdale Police Department is being charged in a road rage incident.
Kevon Darden resigned Thursday after less than a week on the job. He was sworn in this past Sunday as a part-time officer.
Authorities say the incident happened in April 2023.
READ MORE: Delco police department continues to deal with staffing issues: 'There's concern among us'
According to state police, Darden got into an altercation with another driver on I-476 South in Delaware County and threatened the person with a gun.
The driver says Darden fired a shot during the confrontation, but the former officer denied those allegations, according to court documents.
At the time of the alleged road rage incident, Darden was reportedly a Cheyney University police officer.
"It was shocking and a little skeptical because these charges were not there prior to today," said Chief Shanee Mitchell, adding that a background check was done on Darden and it came back clean.
The Delaware County Police Union is questioning how thorough it may have been.
"The FOP has lost all confidence in the chief to lead this department," said FOP President Christopher Eiserman.
Chief Mitchell responded to those comments saying, "Yeah, I really have nothing to say about them. I don't know them. They don't know me. That's their opinion, so be it."
When it comes to police coverage and public safety, Collingdale has been in a state of turbulence for months since former Chief Patrick Kilroy was removed in June.
The community strongly opposed a previous candidate for chief due to an alleged misconduct investigation and now this case against a new officer.
"It's just business as normal in Collingdale Borough. They hire whoever they want," said Eiserman.
Boro Manager C. Micheal Robinson issued a statement to Action News saying, "This is the second time in recent memory that a Black officer appointed to serve in our Borough has faced sudden legal action shortly after their appointment. This pattern echoes historical examples of resistance to integration within public institutions."
Mitchell says she inherited, not created, the turmoil, but she remains optimistic.
The resignation comes as the borough continues to deal with a staffing shortage.
According to the borough manager, right now there are five full-time officers with the hiring of three part-timers pending. In the past, 14 officers has been considered fully staffed.
Collingdale Mayor Donna Matteo-Spadea says troopers with the Pennsylvania State Police have been covering overnight shifts for the police department since November.
Read the full statement from Borough Manager C. Michael Robinson:
"This is the second time in recent memory that a Black officer appointed to serve in our Borough has faced sudden legal action shortly after their appointment.
This pattern echoes historical examples of resistance to integration within public institutions, such as the opposition to diversifying police forces during the mid-20th century. It is a reminder that systemic barriers to progress remain entrenched in some areas, and these challenges undermine trust in governance and the judicial system.
Our community deserves better - better transparency, better cooperation among institutions, and better accountability for those charged with upholding the public good. I remain committed to advocating for equity and justice, not only in Collingdale but throughout Delaware County."