CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — The mayor of Circleville spoke for the first time on the ongoing investigations into the city’s police chief and interim police chief.
Last month, Police Chief Shawn Baer and Interim Police Chief Doug Davis were placed on leave from the Circleville Police Department. Both are subjects of separate investigations alleging misconduct.
Mayor Michelle Blanton discussed the investigations following Tuesday night's city council meeting. She said she could not disclose specific details as she didn’t “want to impede an investigation that’s currently going on.”
Blanton told 10TV that there was an incident involving physical contact with Davis but she did not say whether it was connected to the investigations.
Blanton also said that the investigations were being handled by an outside agency, but did not disclose additional details.
Baer was placed on paid leave in March for potential misconduct. The allegations included:
- Harassment
- Intimidation Retaliation
- Threats of discipline
- Misuse of position
- Improper expenditures
- Failure to adhere to deadlines
- Timekeeping violations
The city did not specify the situation in which the allegations against Baer originated.
Davis is under investigation for alleged employee misconduct, but specific details on the allegations against him were not provided.
Circleville city officials fired its safety director less than two weeks after Baer was placed on administrative leave.
Steve Wilkinson was fired three days after he was hired for the role. He told 10TV that he was sworn in in secret and Blanton never publicly announced his role. City officials did not provide specific details on why Wilkinson was terminated from his position.
The city confirmed to 10TV last week that Kenny Fisher is the acting police chief.
During Tuesday’s meeting, councilmember Zack Brooks shared his frustration with how the investigations were handled by the city.
Brooks referenced a previous council meeting where Wilkinson brought up witnessing civil rights violations and police misconduct.
Brooks said he requested personnel files and discipline records with the Circleville Police Department. He said he was told by Circleville Law Director Kendra Kinney he was at the bottom of the list and nearly two weeks later, he still has not received the requested files.
Kinney then responded, saying that the office had sent email correspondence to Brooks two days ago and did not hear back — delaying the fulfillment of his request.
Brooks ended his speech by saying he wonders what else city officials are not transparent about.