Police Chief Hughes suspends 2 wrestling cops, supervisor

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The physical altercation took place in March.

YOUNGSTOWN — A physical altercation between two sergeants in the Youngstown Police Department will mean time away from work for three officers.

Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said the department has concluded an investigation into a March altercation between Sgt. James Pasquale and Sgt. John Payne. Each officer will be given between three and five days off work depending on whether they attend anger-management counseling.

“We determined that the officers in the fight did engage in conduct unbecoming an officer,” Hughes said. “We are going to give them an opportunity to go to counseling and complete the counseling. They are in counseling now as we speak.

“If we receive word that they are not going to complete it, we will go forward with the five-day suspensions. If the counseling is completed, we will go forward with the three-day suspensions.”

Lt. William Centric, supervisor in charge at the time of the altercation, also will serve a three-day suspension. He is not required to attend anger management counseling.

All three will be suspended without pay, but only Payne and Centric will have the option of using vacation time to account for the suspension.

Hughes said Payne and Pasquale were talking about work assignments and job-related issues when the discussion turned serious. He said one punch was thrown and a wrestling match took place between the two men before they were separated.

Centric, Hughes said, is being suspended for failing to control the situation between the two officers before it got out of hand.

“I felt that there should have been more involvement by him to break up the tone and arguing going on. He really should have intervened, and it might not have led to all this,” Hughes said.

Pasquale and Payne work together on a routine basis and have continued to do so after the altercation, the chief said.

Both officers, he said, have repeatedly said the altercation was something they regret.

Hughes said he is confident the suspensions and counseling will put the incident to rest.

jgoodwin@vindy.com