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Mayor fires Campbell police chief after BCI finds sexual misconduct
By Sarah Lehr
CAMPBELL
Mayor Nicholas Phillips said he fired Campbell Police Chief Andrew Rauzan on Monday after the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation determined Rauzan had made sexual advances toward a woman while serving in an official capacity.
A young woman reported to the mayor Sept. 3 that Rauzan had acted inappropriately toward her in July. The woman, who had a warrant for her arrest for failure to appear on a charge of expired license plate, said Rauzan obtained her phone number and called her about the warrant, indicating that the issue could be resolved, according to Phillips.
The woman reported she met with Rauzan at his request and followed him to the police gym near his office. Rauzan then touched her and made sexual overtures, the mayor said.
The mayor said that when the woman became upset and left the gym, Rauzan suggested that she not tell anyone what had occurred.
“She’s afraid,” Phillips said. “You have a police officer in uniform, exerting his authority. ... It makes me kind of sick to my stomach.”
Rauzan declined to comment, referring questions to his attorney, Damian Billak.
“Drew vehemently denies the allegations levied by Mayor Phillips against him,” Billak said.
Billak said his client plans to appeal his termination within the 10 days allotted by the Campbell Civil Service Commission.
Phillips placed Rauzan on paid administrative leave Sept. 6 pending investigation by the BCI into the woman’s allegations.
The agency has determined that the woman’s statements were truthful, the mayor said.
“I’m doing what I have to do to protect the integrity of the city and the integrity of the police department,” Phillips said of the decision to fire the chief. “I’ve received more than enough information [from the BCI] to act on the administrative end.”
Rauzan became the city’s permanent police chief in 2013. He first joined the department in 1998.
The BCI’s criminal investigation of Rauzan is still open, pending possible prosecution. The agency released its findings to city officials Friday and is not releasing any documents from the investigation to the media.
Campbell Law Director Brian Macala has asked a special prosecutor to handle the case.
Lt. Kevin Sferra continues to serve as police chief in an interim capacity. The city expects to hire a permanent chief by Jan. 1.
The outcome of today’s election could affect the hiring process. Campbell voters are deciding on 14 amendments to the city’s governing document, including one that would expand the mayor’s authority to hire and fire a qualified police chief.
Under the existing charter, the police chief holds a civil service position, meaning that appointment is subject to a civil service examination. Additionally, as it currently stands, the mayor may select a candidate only from the pool of officers at the rank below chief in the Campbell Police Department.
If voters approve the change, the mayor would be able to choose a chief from a broader range of candidates, including those who work outside the Campbell department.