Girard police chief to face charges

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The chief will be expected to answer the complaint at a meeting Tuesday.

GIRARD — City officials have disclosed seven charges that Police Chief Frank Bigowsky will face at a hearing Tuesday, including teaching private classes on city time.

City administration has been investigating Bigowsky for several weeks, but had been reluctant to say exactly what the investigation is about. Bigowsky has been on paid administrative leave since June 9.

A list of charges was sent to Bigowsky on Friday. The letter also gives notice that Bigowsky is to appear in the office of Jerry Lambert, safety services director, at 10 a.m. Tuesday to answer to the list.

The complaint says Bigowsky:

UTaught private classes at various educational institutions while on city time without approval, and failed to properly document work hours during those weeks.

UEngaged in conduct that undermines the civil service hiring and selection process. Without authorization, he dispatched letters to candidates indicating that the failure to provide certain information would lead to the conclusion that the person on the police hiring list was “no longer interested in remaining active” as a candidate.

UShowed complete disregard for a valid direct order to appear for morning briefing sessions and provide operational updates to the administration.

UChallenged a validly issued directive by the appointing authority before the civil service commission that he report for regular meetings and briefings.

UAlleged the mayor “got out of his chair and blocked my exit by stepping in front of me and the door” in a letter to the civil service commission. The complaint says the allegation is false and completely inaccurate.

UFailed to properly monitor, enact procedures and otherwise take action related to the approval, review and control of overtime expenditures.

UProvided derogatory statements concerning the appointing authority to a local newspaper and accusing the appointing authority of “unprofessional conduct ... bullying and intimidation.”

Calls to Bigowsky’s attorney, Joseph Kondela, were not returned Friday.

Lambert would not comment on any possible punishment for the chief in light of the complaints. He said nothing can be determined before Tuesday’s hearing.

“At the meeting Tuesday he will have the opportunity to respond to any complaints levied against him,” said Lambert.

The section of the complaint stating that the chief undermined the civil service commission speaks to a dispute over hiring in the police department between Bigowsky and Mayor James Melfi. Melfi has said Bigowsky attempted to fill a position with an individual who did not rank high enough on the civil service list to be eligible.

Some portions of the complaint speak to a letter Bigowsky sent to the civil service commission detailing a meeting among himself, Melfi, police Capt. Jeffrey Palmer and Lambert after a disagreement over the hiring of a police officer. In the letter, Bigowsky said the mayor was threatening, demeaning and irate during the mid-April meeting.

jgoodwin@vindy.com