POLAND — A township police officer has been given the green light to go back to work.

Joseph Patton reached an agreement Dec. 5 in his case stemming from a Sept. 8 traffic stop.

According to a Nov. 9 article in The Vindicator, he was facing charges of insubordination, neglect of duty as a patrolman and officer in charge, inefficiency and incompetence.

The incident in question involved the arrest of a woman believed to have broken into a resident’s backyard cabin. Following the arrest, the woman was placed in the cruiser and later overdosed, and was revived with Narcan. It was mentioned she was not properly searched prior to arrest.

“We are very fortunate to serve this great community and have very supportive trustees. We will move forward together, better than ever,” police chief Greg Wilson said.

Patton was placed on suspension Oct. 3 pending a hearing. The disciplinary hearing took place Oct. 18, in which a panel imposed a 15-day unpaid suspension. Because Patton didn’t respond with a mandatory written response to the complaints against him, another hearing was held on an alleged insubordination to which he was served with a 30-day unpaid suspension.

Patton and the union filed a grievance in the matter and the union and township came to an agreement. On Wednesday, Poland Township trustees approved the agreement.

The settlement agreement between the township, Patton and the Fraternal Order of Police union agreed to the Sept. 8, 2024, violation of Poland Township Police Department Policy Manual Section 918.4 Officer in Charge, for which Patton was issued a five-day suspension.

The settlement included the Sept. 14, 2024, violation of Policy Manual Section 919.2.3 Inefficiency for which Patton was issued a seven-day suspension. A third issue involved the Oct. 16, 2024, violation of Policy Manual Section 200.3.3 Orders and a 10-day suspension was issued for a total of 22 days.

The agreement included Patton receiving credit for the days he was placed on emergency relief of duty beginning on Nov. 7, 2024. Patton will return to work on Monday.

Under the agreement, the FOP and Patton will withdraw any grievances and arbitrations related to these matters, and the disciplinary actions will be permitted for use for two years from the date of violations.