By jeanne starmack
campbell
A city police detective has received five unpaid days’ suspension for improperly using his city car for a personal reason and for improper documentation of sick leave.
Detective Sgt. John Rusnak, who has been on the city police force for 15 years, received the suspension Tuesday after a meeting with city administrator Jack Dill, police union president John Gulu, an attorney from the law firm Clemans Nelson & Associates and a representative from the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council. The city uses Clemans Nelson for labor issues.
Gulu said earlier this week he did not wish to comment.
Mayor Bill VanSuch said he did not wish to comment, referring questions to Clemans Nelson Atty. Mike Esposito.
Esposito did not comment except to reiterate information contained in a record of discipline that Rusnak signed Tuesday.
The document says Rusnak and the union have agreed not to file an appeal of the disciplinary action.
Rusnak said Thursday that this is the first time he has gotten into trouble at his job in 15 years.
“I never had a mark on my record,” he said. “I just made a mistake. It was a one-time thing.”
Police Chief Gus Sarigianopoulos concurred that Rusnak has never faced disciplinary action before.
Rusnak said that on Jan. 2, he was feeling ill during his shift. He went home, but then came back later. He didn’t mark the time off, saying he considered himself still on duty. He said he had his radio with him and could have taken calls from home.
Rusnak drives his unmarked detective’s car home anyway, Sarigianopoulos said.
But Rusnak did not mark the time he was away from the station as sick time.
“That’s where the issue is,” Rusnak said. “Until they brought it to light this way, I didn’t see the harm in it.”
Two of the unpaid days will be in vacation, compensatory or personal time, and three days without pay will be scheduled by Sarigianopoulos.
Comments
never thought taking company car home on tax payers time was wrong?I would be fired if i left my job and just didnt tell anyone .This is a bunch of bull.
This officer has been praised on the news time and time again for doing outstanding work. His office is basically in that car. If he were out driving and had to go to the bathroom, maybe experiencing stomache problems, I don't see the issue in that at all. If he were home watching tv, playing facebook or having relations with his wife, then that would be abusive. Using his own private bathroom when sick, not an issue to me.
WHAT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GET FIRED FOR THE CRAP THEY DO GEEZ
15 years with no problems and you people think this officer committed murder. Get a life. smh
He shouldn't have used any sick time because Sgt. Rusnak is never off call. He is one of the hardest working officers I have met in my life, and I deal with police officers on a daily basis. He does anything and everything for the department. The citizens of Campbell are lucky to have an officer like him, who busts his ass, day in and day out. Whether he is officially on duty, or off duty, he is always working to get criminals off the street. It's a shame he gets punished for being sick. What a joke. A reprimand would have sufficed. Politics at its finest. Keep up the good work Rusnak.
All you Morons cutting on this Officer, need to get a Life !! It's obvious you don't have one.
These guys are on call 24 hrs a day. Are you on call ?? My guess would be NO. You probably sit your Fat A__es on your couch, eat your potato chips & watch TV. Then you think you have the right to moan & groan..??
Like I said, get a Life !!!!
falconeddy that is the best post to day.
The article never stated what the "personal reason" was....we are just left to ponder; it was too personal to reveal?
If there was an emergency, like a shooter in city hall plugging a worthless politician for example, that fine Officer would be putting his ass on the line to protect us. I vote Rusnak every time.
or a worthless lawyer
First offense in 15 years. First time caught more likely. Funny, how most people work 30-40 years and never commit any sort of offense and yet public employees and cops/firemen in particular are given special dispensation.
Superman,
You are a total Moron !!!
Yeah, like you NEVER did anything wrong when you were working ???
Wait, you probably NEVER had a Job !!
Loser !!