Warren cop keeps rank but gets 90 unpaid days off

WARREN — A police officer who coached and watched his kids in basketball games on city time in January, February and March has signed an agreement that gives him back his rank and pay as a sergeant — but takes him off duty the next three months without pay and benefits.

Sgt. Emanuel Nites, who has was demoted to patrolman for a month leading up to the agreement, will be off work until Dec. 7, the agreement says. His 90-day suspension began Monday.

Nites, an 18-year veteran of the department, appealed his punishment from Chief Tim Bowers — demotion, $3.35 an hour less in pay, and 10 days unpaid suspension — and was scheduled for a hearing on the matter Tuesday.

The agreement canceled that hearing, to have been conducted by Doug Franklin, Warren safety service director, but it required him to testify at hearings for three supervisers.

Sgt. Michael Albanese was suspended for five days, Sgt. Dan Mason was suspended for 20 days, and Lt. Eric Merkel was suspended for 10 days for falsifying time sheets for Nites.

Read more in Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com