WARREN Officer's complaint raises questions
The complaint says one official's conduct was unprofessional.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The city administration is questioning why a detective waited nearly two years to file a complaint against the safety-service director.
Mayor Hank Angelo and Fred Harris, safety-service director, said they are disturbed that Detective Jeff Hoolihan filed a complaint Thursday over a matter that took place Jan. 28, 2002.
Hoolihan states in a two-page, typed statement that he was working off-duty security at a local grocery store when Harris walked toward him and asked what was on his belt.
"I advised Fred Harris that it was my cell phone, in which, at this time, Fred Harris grabbed the cell phone on my belt," Hoolihan's statement says. "I told Fred Harris not to grab my belt, that it was my personal cell phone. Fred held onto the cell phone for four to five seconds. He then said, 'Oh,' and walked away."
Hoolihan's statement also noted that his cell phone was next to his duty firearm. Hoolihan's statement says he felt that Harris' actions were not professional.
"According to this statement, Jeff Hoolihan had this notarized Jan. 29, 2002, so why is this being filed now?" Harris asked. "I was laughing with him because he had this fancy cell phone. I touched the phone. We were laughing. I don't remember him telling me not to touch it. It was a lighthearted conversation."
Hoolihan could not be reached to comment.
Officials' theory
The mayor and Harris said they think Police Chief John Mandopoulos had Hoolihan file the complaint to distract attention from the administrative charges the chief is facing.
The mayor has recommended that Mandopoulos receive a 10-day suspension for gross neglect of duty, gross dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming an officer and dishonesty in the performance of his duties.
The chief has filed an appeal. Since the chief is a civil-service employee, the appeal will be heard by the city's civil-service commission. The commission met Thursday and said a hearing will be set on the matter in the next 30 days.
The chief, however, said he had no idea that Hoolihan was considering filing the complaint.
"Detective Hoolihan called me this morning and asked if I could talk to him, and I told him to meet me at my office," the chief said. "I had nothing to do with him filing this complaint."
The chief says he will investigate the complaint, even though Harris is his boss.
sinkovich@vindy.com