Officers’ demotions reversed

CINCINNATI (AP) — Three police supervisors who were punished after officers under their command were caught playing video games at work have had their demotions and unpaid suspensions reversed, city and union officials said.

Police Lt. Randy Webb, Sgt. Mikle Brown and Sgt. Mark Hunley were demoted in December to the rank of police officer and ordered by police Chief Tom Streicher to walk beats. Another supervisor, Sgt. Eric Schneider, was fired.

Streicher blamed the supervisors for failing to properly oversee the two officers, Thomas Schmid and Anthony Dawson.

The decisions were made several weeks after Schmid and Dawson were suspended without pay for 10 days for watching TV, eating and playing video games inside a police substation when they were supposed to be walking a beat.

The police union, the Queen City Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, thought the punishments for the supervisors was excessive and was prepared to take each case to arbitration, as allowed by the union’s contract with the city.

City administration officials worried about the costs of arbitration and approached the union several weeks ago, settlement documents showed.

Agreements signed Thursday return Webb, Brown and Hunley to their previous rank and seniority. The three will lose the difference in the pay from the time of the demotion until April 6, when their rank will officially be restored.

The three will also accept a 10-day suspension without pay, down from the previous 30-day suspension.

Schneider rejected the city’s settlement offer, and instead submitted a counteroffer. If that is rejected, he’s eligible for arbitration.

Streicher said he was not asked to participate in the settlement talks.

“I stand by my recommendation to the city manager,” he said Friday. “I’d like to believe I am supported by the city manager.”