Warren officer cited for failing to follow policy

WARREN — A city police officer has been administratively charged for failing to follow departmental policy while handling evidence belonging to a woman at the center of a 2007 police Tasering incident.

Sgt. Michael Merritt received a letter last week from his supervisor, Capt. Tim Roberts, saying he violated two policies regarding professional conduct.

Merritt picked up evidence from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation in Richfield on April 16, 2008, including two bags of evidence belonging to Heidi Gill of Niles. Those bags of evidence are now lost, Roberts said.

A hearing took place today to allow Merritt to respond to the two charges.

Police Chief Tim Bowers has 10 days to decide what punishment, if any, will be issued, Bowers said. Termination is not one of the options for this offense, Bowers said.

For the complete story, see Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com