Centre County prosecutors review 100 cases tied to former officer. Here’s what to know

Centre County prosecutors are reviewing roughly 100 criminal cases connected to a former Spring Township police officer who admitted to falsifying at least some of his reports. The number of cases under review has roughly doubled since last month.

FULL STORY: Review of Centre County cases roughly doubles after police officer discloses false reports

Here are key takeaways:

• Former officer Stephen T. Kutches disclosed in a pre-employment questionnaire for the Pennsylvania State Police that he included false observations in at least some DUI arrest reports.

• District Attorney Bernie Cantorna said the majority of the roughly 100 cases under review are traffic violations such as DUI. Notices were sent to the Centre County Bar Association.

• Kutches was hired by Spring Township police in December 2021 and resigned effective April 18. He was making $37.23 an hour, about $77,450 per year.

• Police Chief Adam Salyards said he received the information in late March, opened an internal affairs investigation and placed Kutches on administrative leave. Kutches did not work any shifts before resigning.

• According to a notice filed by prosecutors, Kutches claimed observing nystagmus — a key DUI indicator involving rapid eye movement — when he hadn’t. He also recorded a person over the phone without consent.

• The Pennsylvania attorney general’s office is investigating, Cantorna said. Prosecutors last month intended to drop four open DUI cases that relied on Kutches’ observations.

• Kutches is at least the second Spring Township officer to resign in 15 months. Former officer Bryce Greene resigned in February 2025 hours before the township’s supervisors were set to consider his termination.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.