Falls Township has settled lawsuits with three former police officers who alleged retaliation and discrimination, the latest in a string of six-figure agreements involving cops.
Over the last two years, Falls has settled claims in five cases where former officers sued over allegations including discrimination, retaliation and defamation at a combined cost of $855,113, according to records obtained through Right to Know show.
Four other lawsuits involving current and former officers remain active in Bucks County Common Pleas or U.S. District courts and another was terminated.
The latest agreements were reached earlier this year with former officers Lt. Steve Langan, and officers Bruce Rhodunda and Vic Croiser. The township’s insurance carrier paid
settlements.
Langan and Rhodunda each suedthe township, police union, and police department in 2021, alleging they spread lies, placed them on administrative leave for months and damaged their reputations.
Langan also sued in 2025 alleging that he was wrongfully demoted from lieutenant to corporal in 2024.
In his agreement, Langan was paid $150,657.54 for overtime payments and “emotional distress damage.” He was also credited for 24 hours of accrued time in 2025.
The township also agreed to let Langan retire with a service-connected disability pension, which carries a higher monthly benefit and reinstated his lieutenant status.
With the higher rank Langan was entitled to cash out 48 hours of holiday pay and 240 hours of vacation pay upon his retirement date, according to the agreement.
Under his settlement, Rhodunda was paid $99,456.01 for overtime, emotional distress damages and attorney fees and costs. He officially retired from the department in January 2023 after 34 years on the force.
Both men alleged that they were subjected to defamation and retaliation, and were placed on paid administrative leave for months after reporting alleged “waste and wrongdoing” by Falls employees. They alleged that Chief Nelson Whitney falsely accused them of engaging in misconduct when they served as police union officers and “spending union funds inappropriately.”
Langan, a Falls police officer since 1999, served as the association's president from 2015-2020. Rhodunda, who retired in January 2023, served as its treasurer from 2011-2020, according to the complaint.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office investigated allegations involving Rhodunda and Langan and found no evidence of a crime.
The Police Association of Falls Township sued Langan and Rhodunda in 2024 seeking torecover $2,300 it alleged the men improperly spent on a catering bill for a funeral reception for one of their family members.
After the union withdrew the lawsuit in 2025, Langan and Rhodunda dropped the Falls police union as a defendant in their 2021 lawsuits.
What the other recent Falls Police settlement agreements paid out
Former Corpl. Vic Crosier, a 25-year Falls police veteran, sued the township police department in Bucks County court in 2023 alleging discrimination.
The township reached a settlement in January agreeing to pay $215,000 with $96,537 earmarked for the law firm that represented Croiser.
Former patrol officer Stephanie Metterle sued the police department in 2020 alleging she was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for filing for filing a sex and pregnancy discrimination complaint against Falls
The township settled claims with Metterle last year for $165,000, according to a copy of the settlement.
In 2024, former Falls Detective Catherine Coffmanreceived a $225,000 payout and the township agreed to grant her a service-connected disability pension retroactive to her separation date. The settlement included $95,437 in legal fees and costs.
Coffman, a 26-year Falls police veteran, left the department in 2023. She sued the department in 2019 alleging sex discrimination.
Crime and Courts Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What it cost Falls to settle claims with 5 former officers | Exclusive
