Investigation contends unprofessional conduct
The police chief has not yet decided whether to discipline the officers.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Three police officers treated the wife of a fellow officer "in an unprofessional manner," and also arrested a city man without just cause, an internal affairs report concludes.
Lt. Joseph Marhulik, internal affairs investigator, says in the 34-page document released Tuesday that he thinks officers did not have the right to ask Paulette Edington of Warren to leave a public area.
Edington, wife of city Police Officer Terrence Edington, had stopped her car near the Commerce Street apartments around 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 to watch officers who had apprehended numerous juveniles for throwing eggs at cruisers.
She said she filed a written complaint Nov. 7, contending that Sgt. John Yuricek and Patrol Officers Tim Parana and Chris O'Rourke treated her rudely.
Edington's complaint notes that a few minutes after she got out of the vehicle, one of the officers asked her what she was looking at. When she told them she was watching them, they ordered her to move her car.
The internal report also states that Yuricek ordered everyone to get on the sidewalk and clear the street.
Videotape
Marhulik reviewed videotapes from the police officers' cruisers while investigating Edington's complaint and subsequently made the conclusion that an arrest was made without just cause.
"I can see on the tape that Daryl McBride is walking from the street, towards the curb then towards the sidewalk," Marhulik states in the internal report. "Sergeant Yuricek calls McBride back and places him under arrest. Sergeant Yuricek then says to McBride, 'Got to start making a stand with somebody; you are No. 1."
Marhulik said McBride, 20, of Clemmens Northwest, should not have been arrested on the misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge.
"I do not feel McBride should have been arrested," Marhulik stated in his report. "He was following the officer's orders and getting off the street. He was not observed violating the law."
The report further states that Marhulik does not agree with Yuricek's written statement that Paulette Edington was trying to cause trouble.
"In my opinion the officers on scene escalated the situation," Marhulik states. "Sergeant Yuricek met Paulette at the street. He made reference to arresting her for obstructing. Why would she not be allowed to be in a public area and watch the police?"
The officers gave statements to Marhulik stating they believe they did nothing wrong.
Edington said she is pleased with Marhulik's report.
"I didn't file this to cause trouble or to get anyone in trouble," Edington said. "When something is done wrong, I believe it should be corrected. I want to see change in the city. I don't think things should be swept under the under the rug -- because then someone may fall over that bump in the rug."
Still under review
The internal report was given to Police Chief John Mandopoulos Jan. 5. He has not yet decided if disciplinary action should be taken. The matter must also be reviewed by the city's safety service director.
Once the report was completed it became public record, according to Greg Hicks, city law director.
Mandopoulos, however, first refused to release the report Tuesday. He said he did not want to release the report because he did not have a written policy telling him when the information became public. Mayor Michael O'Brien ordered the report to be released Tuesday afternoon.
"There is no reason, no good reason, why this wasn't released hours ago," Hicks said.
sinkovich@vindy.com