Village officials in Bethlehem were well aware of the past troubles of Officer Dan Griffin when they hired him to protect the streets of their community.

Griffin has worked as a full-time police officer in Bethlehem for just the past two-and-a-half months, but he resigned in 2007 from the Wheeling Police Department. At that time he was the center of an internal investigation, and he later pleaded no contest in Ohio County Magistrate Court to a single count of destruction of property.

That charge stemmed from allegations he stole a counterfeit $100 bill from an evidence locker and then tried unsuccessfully to pass it. Griffin also was accused of destroying an evidence intake report and a chain of custody form. He was fined $100 following the no contest plea, and charges of obstructing an officer and petit larceny were dismissed with prejudice.

Griffin could not be reached for comment.

Last week, Bethlehem police Chief August Bankey said he was aware of the circumstances surrounding Griffin's departure from the Wheeling Police Department prior to the officer's hiring in Bethlehem.

He said village officials received a letter from the West Virginia Governor's Committee on Crime and Delinquency confirming Griffin still is a certified officer permitted to work in the Mountain State.

"We wanted to make sure he was allowed to be an officer, and we received a letter from the state that he is," Bankey said. "We wouldn't hire anyone who isn't allowed to be a police officer."

Bankey said Griffin is more than just an officer with a certification. He said Griffin was "highly recommended."

"We had letters of recommendation from fellow police officers, and we went by those too," Bankey said. "I talked to (officers) from the Wheeling department, and they have high regard for him."

Bankey said Griffin has been a quality officer in his short time with the Bethlehem Police Department. He said he believes his good police work will continue.

"We're very confident, and he has done a great job for us," Bankey said. "I believe in him. No one has said anything bad about him."

When Bethlehem Mayor Garrett Daniel was asked Tuesday about Griffin's hiring he said, "It's time to move on." He spoke highly of Griffin and said the officer's hiring was the right decision.

"We've heard a lot more positives than negatives said about him," Daniel said. "He's a good officer with great credentials. He's a qualified individual, and I have confidence in that fact. Everybody makes mistakes in life. Second chances are deserved."