WARREN Two cops face administrative charges

The cruiser tape was shut off before the conversation ended.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Two city police officers are facing administrative charges of performing an unreasonable search on a man stopped for a traffic violation.
The charges were given to the officers, Joseph Kistler and Ed Hetmanski, early today.
They were taken off the streets last week after an internal investigation concluded they were performing unwarranted searches on people stopped for traffic violations.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos said the officers will continue to work inside the building until the completion of the investigation.
Kistler faces administrative charges of participating in the search of Willie Summerlin "in excess of the scope prescribed as reasonable" and for turning off the mobile video recorder before the conclusion of Summerlin's arrest. The recorder is in the police car.
Hetmanski faces an administrative charge of conducting the search "in excess of the scope prescribed as reasonable."
If found guilty of the administrative charges, the officers could face discipline of a written reprimand, suspension or termination.
"I would like to have the hearing on Friday if at all possible," Mandopoulos said. No hearing date has been set. He noted that if the officers are found guilty, they will have the right to appeal that decision. The appeal would be heard by the safety-service director.
According to the internal investigation conducted by Lt. Joseph Marhulik and reviewed by Greg Hicks, city law director, the officers violated Summerlin's constitutional rights when they searched him and his vehicle during a traffic stop Dec. 30.
Summerlin, of Second Street Southwest, filed a complaint with the department stating that when police stopped him and accused him of going through a red light, they subjected him to a pat-down search in which they went through his pockets and grabbed his crotch.
He noted that officers also placed him in the back seat of a cruiser while they searched his vehicle.
A review of the videotape from the cruiser, which also contains audio, shows officers searching Summerlin and his vehicle. When officers return to the cruiser, they can be heard arguing with Summerlin. The tape was shut off during the conversation between Summerlin and the officers, Marhulik said.
According to written statements submitted as part of the internal investigation, both officers said they began following Summerlin's vehicle after they saw it stopped on Front Street Southwest. The officers noted in their report that the area where Summerlin stopped is in a neighborhood known for high drug activity.
The officers stated they followed the car and noticed that the driver went through the red light at Tod and West Market Southwest. The officers stopped Summerlin on Iowa and said he appeared angry.
sinkovich@vindy.com