Warren's police chief deserves suspension

Warren Mayor Hank Angelo says Police Chief John Mandopoulos is guilty of gross neglect of duty, gross dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming an officer and dishonesty in the performance of his duties and deserves a 10-day suspension without pay.
At first blush, it appeared that the mayor was being too lenient with the police chief, who has been harshly criticized in this space for his egregious behavior. But considering that the city has been on the losing end of many legal battles with the safety forces, it makes sense for Angelo to recommend a punishment that has a good chance of being confirmed by the civil service commission or the courts.
Mandopoulos, on the other hand, says he intends to sue the administration for what he contends are false administrative charges filed against him.
The mayor and Warren's safety-service director, Fred Harris, should welcome such a suit. Why? Because then all the details of the chief's controversial tenure will be made public. Thus far, the residents of the city of Warren have been treated to a "he said, she said" campaign by both sides. Once under oath, however, Mandopoulos, Angelo, Harris and others will have to provide the unblemished truth.
Predisciplinary hearing
The mayor's recommendation for a 10-day suspension without pay came on the heels of a predisciplinary hearing to determine whether the city's top lawman should be disciplined for actions by him and Officer Manny Nites on May 24 outside a city nightclub, and for allegations that he intimidated a television reporter.
The chief has denied both allegations.
During the hearing, he insisted that he and Nites were joking with a man who was videotaping them outside 77 Soul, on Route 422, and pointed out that he was at the club on his own time. But Nites can be heard on the tape calling the videographer a snitch and repeating vulgar words spoken by a club patron.
"I find that you failed to maintain discipline when you failed to enforce the rules and regulations and conduct and good behavior of Officer Nites," the mayor states in a letter to the chief.
Because the position is in the civil service, Angelo's recommendation for a 10-day suspension without pay must be accepted by the civil service commission for it to be enforced.
Mandopoulos has said that he was conferring with his lawyer about bypassing the civil service process and going directly to the common pleas court to challenge Angelo's action.
That is the proper setting, given the fact that the suspension is to take effect Tuesday.
The lack of discipline in the police department is poignantly reflected in the actions by some officers. An internal affairs investigation found that some residents who were accused of breaking the law were strip-searched before being jailed -- without proper procedure being followed.
Because he has civil service protection, the chief does not serve at the will of the mayor. He can be fired only for cause. That has emboldened Mandopoulos. He has ignored our repeated calls for him to step down.
Hence, we look forward to a full-blown court hearing on his suspension.