CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — After months of chaos, the city of Circleville has agreed to pay out its former police chief and deputy chief after they were each placed on leave while under alleged misconduct investigations.
The agreement will allow Chief Shawn Baer to retire and Deputy Chief Doug Davis to resign. It also stops any investigations into their actions.
Circleville residents say they want those investigations to be completed and want to know exactly what's been going on at the police department.
“I think it's a bunch of bull of what is going on,” said lifelong Circleville resident Steve Withers.
Withers did not mince words when talking about the police department.
Baer was placed on leave on March 11. Two weeks later, acting Chief Davis was also placed on leave.
“I think a lot of people will question as to what has happened,” said resident Dick Gieringer.
According to an agreement released by the city, Baer will receive $70,000 from the department, plus more than $24,000 for unused accrued vacation and personal time.
Davis will receive $69,000 plus more than $14,000 for unused accrued vacation and personal leave.
Both agreements also state the city shall cease its internal investigation into the allegations of potential misconduct.
The city paid a law firm $50,000 for the two investigations.
The city attorney did not say if that money would be returned.
The city of Circleville paid out former police officer Ryan Speakman $40,000 and truck driver Jaddarious Rose $225,000 after Speakman released his canine on Rose during a traffic stop last summer.
“That's my tax money being paid, not only just mine but everybody that lives in Circleville,” Withers said.
Zach Brooks was the only council member to vote no on the agreement.
“Just to get rid of them and move on. We really do need new leadership in the police department. We need to clean it up as quick as possible, but I am disgusted that we are just going to give them a slap on the wrist and let them get away with $70,000 a piece,” he explained.
10TV reached out to Mayor Michelle Blanton for an interview, but she did not respond.
There's no word yet on who or how the city will replace the top two leaders at the police department or replace the safety director.