Trumbull deputy suspended over Facebook remarks

Staff report

WARREN

A Trumbull County deputy sheriff who most recently worked security at the county department of Job and Family Services is off the job and facing possible termination for purported racist remarks on his Facebook page.

Sheriff Thomas Altiere said he was alerted to comments Deputy Michael Geer is alleged to have made and later viewed a copy of the remarks.

“It’s racially oriented,” Altiere said. “It’s very offensive, and it’s something I will not tolerate.” Altiere said the comments were a response to police being “bashed” across the country for misconduct against citizens.

The sheriff sent a supervisor to JFS Monday to relieve Geer of duty, pending an investigation, which is assigned to Maj. Thomas Stewart of the sheriff’s office.

Geer will remain on paid leave until a hearing on his likely termination, as per contract, Altiere said. That hearing could come as early as this week.

Writing such comments is a violation of departmental policy, “and it’s common sense,” Altiere said.

Geer began his work for the sheriff’s office as a corrections officer about eight years ago and later became a deputy, the sheriff said.