WARREN Officials: There are no details about police brutality charges

Officials are tight-lipped about details of a meeting with a Justice Department official.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
and AMANDA DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Police officials say they still have no information about recent allegations of police officers' using excessive force, even after a meeting with members of the Warren-Trumbull Coalition and an official from the U.S. Justice Department.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos said he attended the meeting Monday at the city's community development building, but he was not given any details about the allegations.
The meeting was closed to the public.
"I still don't have any written complaint," Mandopoulos said.
The coalition said at a press conference last week that in December there were two cases of police brutality and that one person had to be treated at a local hospital.
Thomas Conley, president and CEO of the Warren-Trumbull County Urban League, said the people involved filed a complaint with the police department.
The coalition declined to give details about the cases.
Conley could not be reached this morning.
The police chief said he could not discuss any other details of Monday's meeting, that all other comments must come from the Justice Department.
Mayor Hank Angelo, who attended the meeting, declined to comment, also referring questions to the Justice Department official, who could not be reached.
The chief said he thinks there will be another meeting with the Justice Department next month.
The coalition: The seven-member coalition was formed after the Justice Department first came to town in July. Federal officials have visited the city a number of times, and Angelo has conducted community breakfasts to address minority issues and concerns.
Coalition members say they will make recommendations to the police department as meetings continue.
sinkovich@vindy.com
davis@vindy.com