WARREN Police officer facing administrative charges

The nine-year veteran will face an administrative hearing next week.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A city police officer accused of threatening and swearing at the city human resource director is facing numerous administrative charges.
An administrative hearing is set for next Friday for Patrol Officer Christopher Martin, 35, a nine-year veteran of the department.
He is accused of violating several departmental policies, including being disrespectful to other officers, commanders, supervisors, subordinates or citizens; use of indecent, profane or harsh language in the performance of official duties; and not cooperating with public officials, according to Fred Harris, safety-service director.
"These violations culminate in charges of gross dereliction of duty, gross neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming an officer," Harris wrote in a letter to Martin.
Officials declined to say what type of discipline the officer could face. Martin could not be reached.
Atty. Randy Weltman, who represents Martin, said he hasn't had a chance to talk about the charges with his client but hopes to get the matter resolved at next week's hearing.
According to Harris, Martin was in the office of Gary Cicero, city human resources director, discussing his military leave pay about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
In his letter to Martin, Harris said the officer was accused of making threats and profanity-laced comments during his discussion with Cicero and as he was leaving city hall. Harris said another city worker overheard part of the discussion.
Cicero declined to comment.
Officials would not state how much military leave pay Martin was seeking.
Martin has the right to call witnesses on his behalf at next week's hearing, which is closed to the public.
Other allegations
The hearing comes in the wake of numerous allegations made in recent months against the police department.
Several residents in the past month have filed lawsuits saying their civil rights were violated when they were strip-searched after being arrested on traffic charges.
Mayor Hank Angelo and Harris are reviewing Chief John Mandopoulos' behavior May 24 in the parking lot of a local nightclub.
A videotape taken by a friend of the owner of Soul 77 nightclub shows the chief and another officer sticking their faces up close to the camera and making remarks.
The chief has said he and the officer were joking around, but the club owner, LaShawn Ziegler, said he felt the officers were harassing the cameraman.
Angelo and Harris met for more than two hours Thursday with attorneys from Dublin, Ohio, who were hired to review personnel issues in the police department.
Both Angelo and Harris declined to comment.
"The [chief] matter is still being reviewed," Angelo said.
sinkovich@vindy.com