A former West Penn Township police officer, who pleaded guilty last month to making false reports incriminating another person, has resigned.

By a unanimous measure, the township's board of supervisors on Monday accepted the resignation of Melissa Ruch, effective immediately.Before the vote, supervisors Chairman Jim Dean read Ruch's letter of resignation."I would like to thank you for allowing me to work for West Penn Township. The chief, my co-workers and the supervisors were great to work with, and I wish everyone continued success," Ruch said in her letter. "Effective today (Monday), I am resigning my position as full-time police officer with the township."After the meeting, township police Chief Brian Johnson said he had no comment on Ruch's resignation, but noted she worked nine years with the police department.Ruch, 42, of New Ringgold, was charged with making up a report about being assaulted and thrown down a steep embankment.She pleaded guilty Oct. 19 shortly before her trial was to begin.Asked by Schuylkill County Judge Jacqueline L. Russell why she was pleading guilty, Ruch replied, "Because I am."Russell sentenced Ruch to 12 months on probation, to pay court costs and fees, pay $5,683 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Harrisburg, and $76,074 restitution to the township's workers' compensation carrier, AmeriHealth Casualty, for medical bills she incurred as a result of the incident in which she is accused of fabricating an attack on her in September 2015.However, that bill may be submitted to her own insurer, her attorney, Frederick J. Fanelli, said at that time.Had a jury found her guilty, Ruch could have faced two years in prison and a $5,000 fine, Russell said.Three additional charges, another count of false reports, false alarm and furnishing authorities with false information, were dropped in the plea negotiation.In other police related matters, the board accepted the resignation of part-time officer Russell Dawson.The board also hired Brandon Rader and Richton Penn as part-time officers, at the rate of $15 an hour.With the moves, Johnson said the township's police force now consists of 10 officers; two full-timers, and eight part-timers.