WARREN Police probe favors officer, dispatchers

The call for service was dispatched based on priority, an internal report stated.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The dispatchers and a police officer who handled a call concerning a dog biting another dog did not violate any police department policy or procedure, an internal investigation shows.
Capt. Timothy Bowers, who conducted the investigation, stated in his report that the Sept. 23 call was dispatched based on priority.
"I wish that the staffing of our department was at a level that would permit officers to respond immediately to all calls for service; however, that is not the case," Bowers stated in the report. "This call was prioritized and dispatched. The call was handled based on the resources available."
The captain also noted that the dispatchers will be counseled in reference to portraying a positive attitude to the public.
Request for help
Bowers' report says John Crouder of Ogden Street called the 911 emergency line at 6:40 p.m. Sept. 23 requesting assistance with a neighbor's dog that had gotten into his yard and was attacking his dog.
The dispatcher advised a police officer would be sent.
About six minutes later, Crouder called back, and the dispatcher said an officer would be sent as soon as one was available.
Patrolman Nicholas Carney had finished an arrest around 7:29 p.m. and asked the dispatcher if he could take a break to get something to eat. The dispatcher, Kris Hodge, told the officer it was OK. Hodge stated in his report that he was so busy that he forgot that an officer had not yet responded to Crouder's call, the internal report states.
At 7:57 p.m., Carney was dispatched to Crouder's call. Another call came in, however, from a female stating a possible assault. Carney was then advised to go to the possible assault call, the internal report says.
Around 9 p.m., dispatchers attempted to call Crouder to find out if he still wanted police to come to his home but there was no answer, the report states.
The information about the dog was given to the dog warden, the report states.
The internal report also states that 24 calls for service were dispatched between 5:17 p.m. and 8:33 p.m. on Sept. 23.
sinkovich@vindy.com