Court clerk’s ouster sought over information given suspect

Police in a Philadelphia suburb are seeking the removal of a court clerk they say jeopardized officers’ safety during a drug investigation and expressed anti-police sentiments on social media.

Darby police officers say the magisterial district judge’s employee prematurely informed a man about his pending drug arrest while an undercover sting operation was still underway. The man was in court on an unrelated matter at the time.

Court administrators say a review found the clerk had followed protocol and simply made a mistake. They declined further comment.

Posts on a Facebook account with the employee’s name condemned police killings of black men around the country and labeled them executions.

Dozens of Darby police officers and supporters demonstrated Wednesday outside a central court office. Some said they believe the court employee purposely tipped off the suspect.