Saturday, January 23, 1999
Officer placed on leave
Trustees got anonymous letters
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP — A Fairfield Township police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation of harassing, anonymous letters sent to township trustees and others.
Police Chief D. Michael Kirsch on Thursday placed Officer Donnie Greene on leavewhile the Butler County Sheriff's Office continues an investigation.
On Friday, Township Law Director Jack Grove said no departmental or criminal charges have been filed against Officer Greene. “He is not being punished; he is not being penalized,” Mr. Grove said.
Mr. Grove said he couldn't comment on the scope, length or manner of the probe. He also wouldn't characterize the letters or reveal their recipients.
However, Sam Hopkins, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 38, said he learned that “harassing” letters had been sent anonymously to township officials and others, and that at least half the township's full-time police officers were subjected to lie-detector tests about the letters.
He questioned why the probe is focusing on police officers.
Mr. Grove said, “I assure you it was not — and is not — limited to the police department.” He would only say that the investigation is “ongoing, if not expanding.”
Mr. Hopkins said the union harbors serious concerns about the investigation, particularly because of “strained re lations” between township officials and the police.
About a year ago, tensions rose when the trustees were considering a contract for two sheriff's deputies rather than hiring two additional township officers. Trustees scrapped that plan, but the tension persists, Mr. Hopkins said, “and then all of a sudden this investigation comes up.”
“I would hope that the citizens of Fairfield Township who support their police department would call or write any of their Fairfield Township trustees,” Mr. Hopkins said.
The union, which represents about 300 Butler County officers including Fairfield Township's eight full-timers, “supports Officer Greene 100 percent,” Mr. Hopkins said.
Trustees Joseph McAbee, Steve Morgan and Mark Sutton wouldn't confirm or deny receiving any of the letters.
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