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60-day suspension urged in Taser case
A Warren police officer faces his second suspension in two months.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN — Police Chief John Mandopoulos is recommending a 60-day suspension for Officer Richard Kovach for his use of a Taser on an intoxicated woman.
The final determination will be made by Safety-Service Director William “Doug” Franklin.
The suspension is the result of jolting Heidi Gill, 38, of Howland, several times with a Taser while arresting her outside Up A Creek Tavern on East Market Street.
In October, Kovach, a 17-year veteran of the police department, was handed a 10-day suspension by Franklin for violating the rights of Tim Brown II when Kovach stopped and searched his vehicle without permission Aug. 23. It was determined that Kovach knew Brown was not a suspect in a murder.
Kovach, who is represented by the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, is appealing that suspension.
Monday’s recommendation by Mandopoulos to Franklin is a result of Gill’s arrest after she was asked to leave the restaurant and got into someone else’s vehicle.
City Law Director Gregory Hicks has said that Gill’s blood-alcohol was three times more than the legal limit.
In Mandopoulos’ recommendation, he pointed out several rules and regulations that Kovach violated.
The chief found that Kovach violated the department’s ethics by delivering punishment to Gill and using unreasonable force. He said Kovach shocked Gill while she was handcuffed in the back of a police car.
Mandopoulos also found Kovach did not protect the rights of a prisoner, used inhumane treatment and excessive force.
In addition, the chief found that the officer falsified a report. Kovach reported that he ordered Gill several times to not act in an unruly manner. However, the chief did not hear Kovach tell her to stop any such behavior on the video of the episode.
Mandopoulos wrote that Kovach did not have control of Gill, thus allowing her to become unconscious by not controlling her.
He also found that Kovach used the Taser on Gill even after she had stopped screaming and did not protect her from injury.
The chief said that because no agency has prosecuted Kovach, he found that Kovach did not violate any local, state or federal law.
Gill’s attorney, Mark Hanni, has said he is preparing a federal civil rights lawsuit against Kovach, the city and its police department.
yovich@vindy.com
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