The two Cincinnati officers accused of kidnapping and Macing a man and leaving him in Mount Airy Forest on Saturday have been the subject of 11 citizen complaints since 1997.

        They have also been subject to discipline ranging from administrative insights — essentially a verbal counseling — to suspensions.

        These complaints were filed with the city's Office of Municipal Investigation:

        Officer Michael Mercer

        • December 1998: Johnny Dunn said he was walking in English Woods when the officer stopped him at gunpoint, threw him in a patrol car and asked improper questions. OMI investigators closed the case, saying there was a warrant for Mr. Dunn's arrest and no witnesses to substantiate his claims.

        • April 1999: Qiana Jackson complained that the officer entered her home without permission. A police supervisor said officers had probable cause to enter.

        • October 2000: Patricia Rice complained that the officer searched her apartment when she was not home. OMI investigators dismissed several of her complaints, including harassment, improper search and improper procedure. But investigators did question the officer's warrantless entry into her home. Officer Mercer received an administrative insight for a warrantless entry, but there is no indication it resulted from this case.

        • May 2001: Ms. Rice again alleged harassment. She said the officer called her on the phone and came to her boyfriend's residence. Case closed at complainant's request.

        Officer Robert Litman

        • March 1999: Melissa Ryan said the officer was one of several who surrounded her and demanded to know the whereabouts of her boyfriend. She said she was searched, handcuffed, cursed and put in a patrol car while officers illegally searched her house. OMI closed the case because, it said, Ms. Ryan refused to cooperate.

        • April 1999: Chay Kirkey alleged officers broke her arm during an arrest. OMI investigators found Ms. Kirkey pleaded guilty to resisting arrest so forcefully that an officer's shoulder microphone was broken. An OMI investigator said Ms. Kirkey did not assist in the investigation. OMI closed the case.

        • January 2000: The Rev. Todd O'Neal said the officer called him a “crack head.” The pastor was cited for driving with a suspended license. OMI investigators closed the case.

        • January 2001: Rami Skinner complained the officer was among three cops who refused to allow her to press charges against others she claimed assaulted her. A police supervisor closed the complaint, saying officers believed the injuries were the result of Ms. Skinner's own conduct.

        • July 2001: Katrina Thomas said the officer harassed her, coming to her house day after day in search of her boyfriend, and threatening to take her to jail and have her children taken away. The officer denied making threats. A police supervisor closed the complaint.

        Both officers

        • December 1999: Inez Angel said she was stopped by Officers Mercer and Litman, who improperly searched her. She said she and a passenger in her car were held in the back of a police cruiser for almost an hour. OMI recommended discipline against both officers for improperly searching Ms. Angel by making her lift her blouse. Police records, however, show that neither officer received discipline in that case.

        • January 2000: Dorothy Colbert said the officers were among several who came into her home though they had no search warrants. They arrested two visitors on outstanding warrants. OMI found problems with two officers who entered the home. But it said Officers Litman and Mercer were admitted by an occupant of the home.

Disciplines

        Officer Mercer:

        • October 2001: Reprimand for running a stop sign during a vehicle dispute.

        • October 2001: Administrative insight for making a warrantless entry into a residence.

        • March 2000: Reprimand for playing a joke on new police recruits by sending them on phony radio runs.

        • July 1999: Administrative insight for flipping a coin to determine whether a suspect would be cited or physically arrested.

        Officer Litman:

        • October 1995: A 240-hour suspension for failure of good behavior. No details available.

        • March 1996: A reprimand for failing to appear in court.

        • February 1997: A 40-hour suspension for neglect of duty. He failed to report that the mother of his children pulled a knife on his girlfriend and failed to report that he had found marijuana in the mother's residence. He was supposed to report these incidents to the woman's parole officer.

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