WARREN POLICE Federal probe in brutality case

A group of black leaders wants the three officers placed on leave.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Youngstown FBI office has agreed to investigate allegations of police brutality here, according to Fred Harris, city safety service director.
"They have the full cooperation of this administra-tion," Harris said Monday.
Agents will be looking at last week's arrest of Lyndal Kimble on charges of felonious assault, resisting arrest, tampering with evidence and felonious possession of drugs.
Kimble says he was beaten by police. A videotape of the arrest taken by one of Kimble's neighbors shows officers Greg Hoso, Michael Stabile and Frank Tempesta struggling with Kimble at length during a confrontation about 12:30 p.m. June 31.
The tape shows one of the officers throwing the 29-year-old Kenilworth Avenue man on a cruiser and then to the ground. Kimble also was sprayed with a chemical repellent.
Kimble is black; the arresting officers are white.
"I have no problem with the FBI investigating," said police Chief John Mandopoulos. "... It is fine with me."
The chief said he is not sure when the federal investigation will begin. "It may have already started," he said.
John Kane, agent in charge, could not be reached.
Coalition request
Members of a group calling itself the Warren Coalition, consisting of local black leaders, are also asking the U.S. Justice Department to take a look.
"We believe that the U.S. Justice Department can do an impartial review of the situation," said Tom Conley, the Warren-Trumbull Urban League's chief executive and a member of the coalition.
"We do not condone the use or sale of illegal drugs; in fact, we do not condone anything illegal. However, we are very concerned ... especially when it is possible that someone's civil rights were violated."
The officers continue to work, but coalition members are asking that they be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
"The officers involved are still patrolling the streets where this took place," said Atty. Richard Olivito, Kimble's attorney.
The leave suggestion was met with resistance by city administrators.
"Absolutely not," said Mandopoulos. "Every time an officer makes an arrest someone can claim police brutality. What are we going to do, put everyone on administrative leave?"
Harris agreed, saying he doesn't believe there is any reason to place the officers on leave now.
Harassment reported
The chief has said a preliminary review of the arrest does not show excessive force was used. He added that several officers are now being harassed by the public.
"I drove through the parks on the Fourth of July and quite a few remarks were made," the chief said. "People were just saying things like, 'You guys going to be beating anyone up today,' and stuff like that. All you can do is sit there and smile."
Coalition members, the Rev. Mr. Alton Merrel, president of the Trumbull County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Ron Brown, president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, and Conley, said they think the majority of the officers on the police department are "good in their profession."
sinkovich@vindy.com