WARREN Report on alleged brutality done

The report is more than 100 pages, the chief says.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The police department has completed its investigation into allegations of police brutality at the aftermath of a teenage birthday party.
Meanwhile, one city official has been asking why he wasn't informed of disorderly conduct charges filed in Wadsworth against a Warren officer who was involved in the birthday party episode.
The internal report, which is more than 100 pages, will be given to city administrators before being released to the public, Police Chief John Mandopoulos said.
"For some reason, the [safety-service] director and the mayor want to look over police matters, so I am going to let them look at the report first before I make any statements about it," the chief said Monday.
"If they have any suggestions after they read it, they can let me know and I will be open to those suggestions."
Mayor Hank Angelo and Fred Harris, safety-service director, were to get the report today during a closed-door meeting with the chief.
What happened
Police say about 100 to 150 people -- mostly teenagers -- spilled onto North Park Avenue in the early morning hours of March 15 after a birthday party ended at the Comfort Inn.
Officers called to the scene reported many fights and yelling. A few days after they broke up the party, city hall received several calls from parents accusing the police of brutality.
Michael Simpson, 19, of Warren said he was hit on the head by Sgt. Bill Boldin, possibly with a flashlight. The chief thinks his officers acted properly.
Officers arrested seven juveniles and one adult. The juveniles face deliquency charges of disorderly conduct and curfew violations.
Simpson is charged with inciting violence and resisting arrest. He has pleaded innocent. He is free on a $1,000 bond and is due back in court in May.
"I'm very interested in reading the report, and I also want to ask the chief why we were not notified about Sgt. Boldin's disorderly conduct charge," Harris said.
Wadsworth police say Boldin faces a disorderly conduct charge stemming from a March 9 bar fight.
Plead innocent
Boldin, who says the matter is a misunderstanding, has pleaded innocent in Wadsworth Municipal Court. A hearing has been scheduled for next month.
Informing the city administration about Boldin's charge in the Akron suburb would have been premature since the sergeant has not been convicted, Mandopoulos said.
"What I've heard about Boldin has all been through rumor," the chief said. "He is still innocent until proven guilty. Right now, he hasn't violated any policy or procedure. He hasn't been convicted of anything."
sinkovich@vindy.com