Palmerton Borough has rescinded a policy about keeping police discipline records after police filed an unfair labor practice charge.

The Palmerton Police Benevolent Association, Palmerton Regular Police Force, charges that the borough has engaged in unfair labor practice contrary to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act.

The complaint states that before Aug. 19, the parties had not established a discipline policy that addressed the retention periods of discipline records.

On Sept. 25, the borough implemented a retention policy when the borough’s mayor sent an email to the borough’s chief directing that all disciplinary records be kept on file permanently.

In response, the Palmerton Regular Police Force requested voluntary rescission of the policy.

The borough refused initially, paperwork states, so the police filed a charge of unfair practices.

The charge was withdrawn based upon the borough’s agreement to rescind the policy.

On Aug. 19, the Palmerton Regular Police Force reinstated the policy by issuing a disciplinary corrective action memo to a patrol officer, and placing the memo in his file on a permanent basis.

All appropriate relief is requested, including but not limited to a directive to remove the memo and cease and desist.

Borough Manager Donna McGarry declined to comment on the matter.