Council terminates officer of 19 years

The mayor was concerned that the officer was focusing on running an eatery.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- A veteran police officer was fired because the mayor doesn't believe he can serve two masters.
Mayor Michael Chaffee recommended the action against patrol officer Richard Siegel because of purported inefficiency, dishonesty, insubordination and neglect of duty.
Village council terminated Siegel, who had been on the force for 19 years, by a 5-1 vote Monday. Councilwoman Mary Jane Wilson cast the dissenting vote after a lengthy executive session.
Village Solicitor Paul Dutton said that in the case of villages with populations of less than 5,000, state law gives the authority to council to fire a police officer. The mayor recommends the action.
Siegel could not be reached to comment.
His attorney, Michael Hostler of Columbus, said he will pursue an appeal. He said the termination is unjust because of Siegel's distinguished career.
Mayor's letter
In his Nov. 28 letter to Siegel, Chaffee said Siegel purportedly wasn't paying attention to his duties while also operating a restaurant.
Siegel owned Penne's Restaurant, 5125 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles, which has since closed.
Chaffee wrote that Siegel's police duties required him to devote primary attention and responsibility to the police department.
The mayor noted that the contract between the village and the police union, Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, and the department's policy manual allows for outside employment.
However, Chaffee noted, such employment "is not an inherent right but a privilege granted at the discretion of the chief of police."
The mayor charged that Siegel never asked the chief through a written request to work at the restaurant.
Chaffee said that because of Siegel's work at the restaurant, he has taken more sick leave than ever during his employment -- and called in sick from his police job when he was actually working at the eatery.
Siegel's productivity decreased, the mayor alleged, calling attention to fewer arrests, incident reports and citations being issued.
Chaffee also asserted that Siegel didn't attend mandatory training on state statistical reporting and hasn't provided the chief with a rational explanation as to how the outside activities can be reconciled with his police responsibilities.
yovich@vindy.com