STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN — A police department internal affairs investigation is under way into allegations that officers left their positions while on duty.
Mayor Jay Williams says the allegation involves between two and four police officers who were working an overnight shift June 14.
He didn’t know if those involved are patrol officers or ranking personnel.
Police Chief Jimmy Hughes couldn’t be reached.
The officers continue to work because no violations have been substantiated, the mayor said.
“If a violation is determined to have occurred, I’m prepared to pursue the harshest penalty allowed,” he said.
Williams categorized the investigation as being in its early stages.
When it concludes, the information will be delivered to Hughes and the mayor.
“Obviously, an investigation with allegations of this magnitude, I’m going to be involved,” Williams said.
If the allegations prove true, the process will follow the procedures outlined in the police contract. It calls for progressive discipline, the mayor said, and termination is possible.
“There is a well-worn, well-established procedure for it to go through,” he said.
This marks the second alleged infraction of departmental policy in the last month.
On June 19, Detective Sgt. Robert Deichman, who worked in the police department’s accident investigation unit, was killed when his unmarked car crashed into a tractor-trailer that pulled into his path on Salt Springs Road.
Deichman’s blood-alcohol concentration was 0.158, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. Deichman was off duty but on call at the time of the crash.
Comments
Youngstown has an excellent police chief. The Youngstown Police officers who left their post will be handled within the terms of their contract. This is not a reflection; however, on the entire police department, which HAPPENS TO BE A FINE ONE. The people of Youngstown are very fortunate to have these very dedicated people who risk their lives to protect the good people of Youngstown every day of their lives, and they certainly are NOT getting wealthy doing the job.
ON THE OTHER HAND, what has Mayor Jay Williams done to protect the people of Youngstown? The crime rate has gone UP since he has taken office. What happened to his "zero tolerance policy?" He better get together and talk this over with "THE REVERAND" and come up with some answers since he obviously hasn't come up with anything on his own.
Did anyone bother to find out what caused these people to do what they did?
I'm SURE they had a good reason to leave their posts. I agree with Oldman, they need to fire the whole bunch. I don't care if the chief is a good man or not, the buck has to stop at the top.
I am thinking this might have been the night of that fatal accident, could be they were just too upset. They could have called out another shift. As far as discipline, I have only heard the mayor say he would take action, nothing from the chief. If that was the night in question, I do think firing is way too harsh of a punishment. Use a little compassion here. Old man, lighten up, your obit is gonna read "he was a mean, old, bstard. What a legacy, you should be proud that I wrote it so you could see it before it was published! I hate accolades after someone dies, what's the point!
Hey Clayor, the morning of the fatal accident involving the DRUNK policeman was Thursday June 19th, the officers left their posts during the midnight shift on June 14th!
There is no excuse for leaving duty without at least notifying dispatch.
What I am saying is the actions of a few DO NOT REFLECT the entire Youngstown Police Department! Old Man, Take a look at your life......
There are fine officers on the YPD, the bad ones should be fired, and I hope that they are, but to condemn the entire police department is wrong. As far as the crime rate goes, the perpetrators are arrested, jailed, bonded out, then have their day in court, plea bargained down by some lawyer, receive a lesser sentence, do lesser prison time, are out on the street again, usually to do another crime, arrested again, and so on and so on.....WHO IS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT, SIR?
WE WERE JUST BETTER OFF WHEN THE MOB RAN YOUNGSTOWN, EH?