Demoted chief plans to appeal

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

He will report to work as a patrolman until the commission rules on his appeal.

GIRARD — The battle between demoted Police Chief Frank Bigowsky and city officials is not over.

Bigowsky stood on the grounds of the department he once commanded Wednesday afternoon and declared that he would appeal a decision by city administration demoting him to patrolman.

The demotion will cost Bigowsky about $2,000 a year.

“I believe this investigation and discipline was the direct result of the complaint I filed against the administration. Their smear campaign and efforts to try me in the media speaks to the true character of this administration,” Bigowsky said in a written statement.

“When I appear before the civil service commission, I will have my opportunity to expose them for their attempts to impugn my honesty, integrity and reputation as a dedicated leader, manager and chief of police.”

Bigowsky has nine days left to appeal the city’s decision to the civil service commission. He said he will appear for work as ordered, in uniform as a patrolman, until the civil service commission has ruled on his appeal.

Mayor James Melfi, who has said Bigowsky was a “poor manager” of the police department, maintains that the charges against Bigowsky were not a result of any personal vendetta.

“It’s quite obvious that the chief and his legal counsel are trying to make this a personal feud between chief and the mayor. That is simply not true. We have better things to do and more work to do in this office,” said Melfi. “We are not going to bring charges forward only to be embarrassed down the line.”

Melfi said the administration is more concerned with running the police department.

Capt. John Villecco is overseeing daily operations. Villecco, Melfi said, is working his regular shift as captain and receiving no additional pay.

“Everything is working smoothly,” said Melfi.

The charges in the city’s complaint against Bigowsky were: teaching private classes while on city time; engaging in conduct that undermines the civil service hiring process; disregarding a valid direct order; challenging a validly issued directive; making false accusations against the mayor; failure to properly monitor overtime expenditures in the police department; and making derogatory statements concerning the appointing authority.

City officials informed Bigowsky of his demotion after a hearing on the charges Tuesday.

jgoodwin@vindy.com