Mayor O'Brien should give police chief an ultimatum
We have long believed that Warren Police Chief John Mandopoulos lacks the necessary skills to lead a law enforcement agency in a racially mixed city. We also have concluded that Mandopoulos, as evidenced by his past actions, has a cockeyed view of the law. And now we find out that this dinosaur of a police officer doesn't even give two hoots about the Warren Civil Service Commission.
It was the commission that late last year upheld then Mayor Hank Angelo's 10-day suspension of the chief for gross neglect of duty, gross dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming an officer and dishonesty in the performance of his duties.
The decision was a repudiation of Mandopoulos' ability to head a police department in a city with a large minority population. But the commission gave the chief a break: It ruled that for each full day he attended Ohio Association of Police Chiefs training sessions, one day of his suspension would be lifted. He had until last week to complete all the courses, but Mandopoulos made it clear Friday that he has no intention of attending diversity training even though the civil service commission made it known that it was important.
Mandopoulos' announcement came a day after The Vindicator reported the chief had not met the deadline for completing the training and that the commission was willing to give him extra time because he supposedly had completed others.
Olive branch
City Safety-Service Director Doug Franklin, told of the chief's failure to attend the diversity training, held out an olive branch to him: "The chief has gone to numerous training sessions, and I really have seen an improvement in his work performance." He noted that Mandopoulos had gone to sessions dealing with domestic violence, homeland security, weapons of mass destruction, public records and many others.
But then Franklin added, "The diversity training class is very important, and I will make sure he attends one as soon as possible. It will get done."
No, it won't get done -- unless Mayor Michael O'Brien, who has insisted that the police chief is a changed man from when he served in the Angelo administration, gives him an ultimatum. While it is true that Mandopoulos has civil service protection since the chief's position is classified, the mayor can fire him for cause and then force Mandopoulos to defend himself before the civil service commission and in court.
The chief's attitude will come as no surprise to anyone who has followed his career in recent years and knows of his behavior as the city's top cop.
We have been harsh in our criticism of Mandopoulos and we have called for him to be pushed out by the mayor.
The chief's decision not to attend diversity training, even after Safety-Service Director Franklin said, "It will get done," makes it clear to us that he is beyond redemption.
The mayor should issue a direct order to him, and if it is ignored, should send him a letter of termination.