BY LISA DONOVAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
City officials are questioning whether a written reprimand is enough punishment for a Cincinnati police officer, who seized and later circulated sexually explicit photographs of a Walnut Hills woman during an unrelated search of her home.
"I have to look at whether this was an appropriate action given what we have already concluded is an infraction," said City Manager John Shirey.
He circulated a memo to members of Council and Mayor Roxanne Qualls, letting them know he is concerned about the issue and is studying the matter.
The incident began on Oct. 18, 1997, when officers arrived at the Walnut Hills apartment of April James, 22, to arrest her then-boyfriend, Kevin Terry.
After arresting Mr. Terry on aggravated robbery charges, Spec. John Horn and other officers searched the apartment and found two handguns, ammunition and a small amount of cocaine. Spec. Horn also discovered several sexually explicit Polaroid photos of Ms. James and Mr. Terry.
Spec. Horn returned to Ms. James' apartment, claiming that he had to take additional photographs of the apartment for the case against Mr. Terry. While there, he returned the sexually explicit snapshots to Ms. James' bedroom, according to a report issued by the Office of Municipal Investigations -- the city's internal investigative arm.
During council's Law and Public safety committee meeting, several council members raised concerns about whether the punishment fit the misdeed.
"We'd like to have the city manager take the discipline matter somewhat more seriously than it has been taken to date," said Councilman Tyrone Yates, law committee chairman.
"The alleged acts strike the very core of fundamental constitutional issues of both liberty and privacy."
