WARREN — Chief Eric J. Merkel has resigned as the leader of the Warren Police Department, effective Aug. 24, amid allegations raised by an officer under his command.

The allegations, leveled in a complaint by Warren officer Frank Tempesta, include multiple incidents of misconduct, including theft in office, tampering with records, racial hatred and conduct unbecoming of an officer.

Merkel submitted his resignation letter to Mayor Doug Franklin and Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert on Thursday. Colbert, in a letter to Merkel also dated Thursday, accepted his resignation.

Merkel’s letter, Colbert’s response and a news release from the office of the mayor were released by the city just after 11 a.m. Friday and were followed by a noon news conference at city hall.

Merkel said his resignation is effective Aug. 24, but his letter to Franklin and Colbert states that he requested to take his “lawfully accumulated vacation” from July 9 through Aug. 24. So effectively, Merkel is now off the job.

Franklin announced at the news briefing that Capt. Robert Massucci has been named acting chief to ensure no interruption in police services.

“The Warren Police Department will continue normal operations without interruption, and residents should expect no disruption in police services during the transition,” Franklin said. “The city of Warren remains committed to transparency, accountability and providing professional law enforcement services to the community.”

Merkel did not specify a reason for his sudden resignation, but his resignation letter stated: “After careful consideration, I have concluded that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Department, its officers and the community we serve. This decision is made solely to allow the Department to move forward without ongoing controversy.”

Merkel did not elaborate.

Franklin said Merkel met with him and Merkel’s family before turning in his resignation.

Colbert’s response indicated the possibility of legal issues.

“Your resignation is accepted solely to avoid the potential of costly and lengthy litigation,” Colbert wrote.

Colbert’s response to Merkel did not provide details about the nature of the possible litigation.

COMPLAINT FILED

However, the mayor at the news conference revealed that a complaint was filed Tuesday by Tempesta, though the document lists him as the affiant, not the subject. Franklin said the city is turning the complaint over to Law Director Enzo Cantalamessa for review and possible further investigation, as he said they want to maintain transparency and accountability.

The complaint details several OVI checkpoints in which Merkel allegedly claimed six hours of paid time while absent:

• On April 10, 2025, Merkel wrote: “Still at this speaker setup without me” while submitting a timesheet for the checkpoint.

• Similar allegations appear for March 12, April 23 and June 4, 2026, including Merkel leaving a checkpoint to attend a meeting at the Cortland Conservation Club, where he serves as vice president. The complaint also cites a June 30, 2025, text from Merkel containing “a GIF depicting a juvenile black child holding a sign that stated: ‘MY FAVOURITE KIND OF BERRIES ARE ROBBERRIES.'”

The document further alleges Merkel “knowingly receives payment for hours during which he is not present at the checkpoint location,” and that the racially offensive GIF “has severely undermined his credibility to lead the Warren Police Department regarding racial allegations.”