Chief says more cops might face discipline

By HAROLD GWIN

gwin@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said two more officers face possible disciplinary action in connection with a suspected Feb. 27 assault on a paraplegic by a police officer.

The chief said Thursday that officers Robert Joliff and Jay Fletcher were fired after an investigation.

On Friday, he said a third officer at the scene and a supervisor may face disciplinary action as well.

There is no indication that either man was involved in the alleged assault, and in fact, there is evidence that the third officer on the scene tried to stop it and did notify the supervisor, Hughes said.

At issue in their case is what appears to be a delay in launching an investigation into the claim by Willie Daniel, 36, of High Street, the paraplegic, that he was physically abused by Joliff at the scene of an accident.

“We’re still investigating,” Hughes said. They don’t face the loss of their jobs but would likely see nothing more severe than a reprimand, depending on the results of that investigation, he said.

Some paperwork should have been started and documentation made of Daniel’s complaint immediately, Hughes said. The investigation is looking at the timeliness of that, he said.

Hughes said that Joliff, fired primarily because of his involvement in the alleged assault, and Fletcher, fired for failure to react properly at the scene as well as for prior disciplinary action, have the right to appeal their terminations, either by filing a grievance through the Youngstown Police Association union or a direct appeal to the city’s civil service commission.

Efforts to reach YPA officials to comment were unsuccessful.

Atty. David Betras, representing Daniel, said his client is pleased with the actions taken thus far by Hughes and Mayor Jay Williams.

“My client and I always had faith in the process,” Betras said, adding they believe a fair decision has been reached.