CANFIELD — New details regarding an investigation into “an inappropriate personal relationship” between two employees of the Canfield Police Department have been shared by the city.

According to a narrative obtained through a public records request by The Vindicator, the relationship was “self-reported” to Wade Calhoun, city manager, Jan. 3. The relationship involved a superior and a subordinate.

The spouse of the subordinate employee filed a formal complaint Jan. 10, alleging “an inappropriate relationship taking place within the Canfield Police Department” between the superior and subordinate.

The relationship was described as “phone calls and text messages exchanged between the two individuals from a period of August 2019 through January 2020,” the narrative states.

Both employees involved were placed on paid administrative leave from Jan. 13 through Jan. 19. Their returning to work on Jan. 21 is also acceptable.

Communication between the parties “did not impact any city of Canfield or Canfield Police Department operations,” and were done on personal mobile devices.

On Jan. 5, Calhoun contacted Mark Fortunato, the city’s law director, informing him of the situation so that an internal investigation could begin.

Deciding to keep the investigation confidential, both Calhoun and Fortunato handled the investigation. It also was decided “to only inform and notify only those individuals” classified as having a “need to know.”

Calhoun advised the internal investigation was intiated and ongoing. On Tuesday and Wednesday, both employees were interviewed by Calhoun and Fortunato and were presented, and signed, a formal warning.

The relationship, which is stated to have ended, was “consensual” and not harassment by a superior. The investigation concluded that the matter did not violate the city’s sexual harassment policy, or sexual harassment laws.

The nature of the relationship “was welcomed” and consisted of each person “confiding in the other by discussing concerns and issues present in their respective marriages.”

Once the subordinate’s spouse discovered text messages that were exchanged by the employees, “the relationship ended.”

Both employees confirmed they would be able to continue with their jobs in the same capacity, assuring Calhoun the “behavior would cease immediately and would never happen again.”

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