Tuesday, February 01, 2000
Norwood ex-chief retires with deal for $130,000
BY TOM O'NEILL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NORWOOD — Embattled Police Chief Tim Brown's retirement officially began Monday, after a deal in which the city agreed to pay him nearly $130,000.
Mr. Brown, who was credited with improvements in Norwood's community policing program and officer training during his tenure, was convicted of falsification in September.
The charge relates to a Dec. 5, 1998, accident in which he crashed his Jeep into a utility pole on his way home from a Christmas party where he had been drinking. He filed a report saying the vehicle had been stolen.
In a copy of the settlement agreement obtained by The Cincinnati Enquirer, Mr. Brown will receive $129,893, including $50,097 for sick-time credit.
Norwood Law Director Vicki Garry said of the settlement, “Well, when you consider that it's twice his average salary, that's a significant amount of money for someone who has been, for the past year, sitting at home.”
She said Mr. Brown initially requested $185,000, adding that “if the desire of the administration is to make sure he doesn't work with the police department, then this is the way to go.”
The deal was signed by Ms. Garry, Mayor Joe Hochbein, Mr. Brown and his attorney, David Barth.
In October, the mayor confirmed that Mr. Brown would retire, which Mr. Hochbein considered to be in the city's best interest.
So does Councilman Joe Sanker.
“We weren't happy with what had to be done,” he said Monday. “We could have rejected it, but we would have faced litigation and then the settlement could have cost more.”
Council unanimously approved the settlement last week.
Mr. Brown has not spoken publicly about the case and could not be reached for comment. He was on the Norwood force 25 years, the last three as chief. A call Monday afternoon to Mr. Barth's office was not returned.
Mr. Brown, then 46, was sentenced to 12 days in jail by Judge Norbert Nadel of Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on Sept. 23.
An initial investigation by Norwood officials led to the chief's suspension and indict ment on felony charges of tampering with evidence and records. Those charges were reduced to the misdemeanor falsification charge by Judge Nadel.
Mr. Brown is to receive $27,417 in vacation time “banked hours.”
The agreement also stipulates that “if contacted by any prospective employer of Mr. Brown, Norwood shall confirm only the dates of Brown's employment and that he retired ... on January 31, 2000.”
Meanwhile, Norwood will begin the search for a permanent replacement.
Chief acknowledges racial profiling
Deal revives deck for Fort Washington Way
Maynard leaving zoo
Zoo restores macaws to native range in Trinidad
Skeletons in the American family closet
Ohio EPA under federal review
Sheppard on trial again - 46 years later
Mount St. Joseph students get PCs
Warmer air moving in
Leis likely to run unopposed
NKU buys supermarket for expansion
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Tall Stacks declared financial success
Ex-Talking Head offers new look
GET TO IT
Getting married? Be in our 'Love Story'
Jeff Marks makes more mayhem
'Nova' builds case for ancient engineering marvels
AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH
Cable firm likes tax revamp
Cease-fire asked in Mason-Deerfield
Councilman charged with DUI after crash
DeWine, GOP groups report millions
Fairfield replaces outmoded firehouse
Felicity fire started in bedroom
Holcomb campaign fund 18 times Piper's
Kings High reconsiders class schedule
McConnell denies targeting first lady
Middleton joins Kenton prosecutor's office
Newport to change sign rules
Norwood ex-chief retires with deal for $130,000
Officer who shot driver questioned
On second look, candidate passes test
Sheriff wants jail to include tribute to fallen officers
Stealth candidate a GOP mystery
Tear gas flushes man out after standoff
TRISTATE DIGEST
