Police chief arrested for selling pain pills gets conditional discharge

The Village of Portville police chief who was arrested last year and charged with selling pain pills while on duty has pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received a sentence of community service with a $150 surcharge.

In September 2015, New York State Police arrested Ronald Brisbee, 52, the Officer-in Charge for the Village of Portville Police Department.  Brisbee was charged with fifth degree criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance and official misconduct.

A New York State Police Investigation found that Brisbee was illegally providing pain pills to another individual while Brisbee was on duty as a police officer.

However, as part of a plea deal, Brisbee pleaded guilty on September 2, 2016 to reduced charges of violating a public health law for possession of a controlled substance in non-original container. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct.

Cattaraugus County Court in Little Valley sentenced Brisbee to a conditional discharge for the disorderly conduct (meaning he must remain law-abiding for one year), 10 hours of community service and a $150 surcharge.

Brisbee received an unconditional discharge for the public health law violation.

At the time of his arrest, the police chief was placed on administrative leave.  

7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly is heading to Portville to see if Brisbee will be allowed to return to his job, and whether residents there think it is a good idea.