WARREN Harris seeks punishment for police chief

The chief said he was just joking when he teased a cameraman at a nightclub.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- This city's safety-service director is seeking disciplinary action against the police chief because of his behavior at a black nightclub.
The actions of Chief John Mandopoulos, which were videotaped, were "not professional," said Fred Harris. Also on the tape is Officer Manny Nites.
"Mayor Hank Angelo is out of town, but I have discussed what is on the videotape and he is not happy," Harris said Thursday.
"I have watched the videotape, and I think they crossed the line."
The mayor and Harris will meet Monday to discuss the matter, Harris said.
The department's policy and procedures state that "no officer at any time shall ridicule, taunt, or shame any person."
Mandopoulos and other officers stopped by 77 Soul on May 24. He has noted that police have been regularly visiting the nightclub because of complaints from a local business owner about noise. The chief also has said that there have also been several disturbances at the club and that the business had to be shut down because of occupancy violations.
What happened
A friend of club owner LaShawn Ziegler's taped Mandopoulos and Nites, who put their faces up to the camera, giving the cameraman close-up views of their eyeballs.
The chief said he and Nites were just joking. Nites could not be reached.
On the tape, Mandopoulos asks the cameraman if he was "voted the nerd most likely to succeed," and Nites tells customers walking by that the cameraman was a "snitch" for the police department.
"That part about the snitch, I really have a problem with," Harris said. "That can get someone killed, whether that person is a snitch or not. A snitch is not looked upon kindly in any community."
The police department's relationship with the black community is "shaky" and the actions captured on the videotape do not help, Harris said.
"The video also shows that the officers cannot follow simple orders, such as wearing their [uniform] hats," Harris said.
"I gave those officers a direct order, and that order was to wear their hats and they aren't doing that. They can't follow a simple order.
"These officers have a great responsibility, they wear a badge and carry a gun. They should be able to follow an order."
Arrest on tape
A videotape released last week by a citizen shows three white officers arresting Lyndal Kimble, who is black.
Kimble states he was beaten by police. Mandopoulos says a preliminary review shows the officers acted appropriately. That tape was broadcast nationally.
Tom Conley, president and CEO of the Warren-Trumbull Urban League, said a community meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday in Second Baptist Church on Main Street to discuss Warren residents' relationship with the police department.
sinkovich@vindy.com