Post by WaTcHeR on Jun 1, 2006 13:19:36 GMT -5
06.01.2006 - Nearly three years of paid administrative leave has come to an end for Scituate Police Officer Richard Johnson who was fired from his job last week.
Town Administrator Richard Agnew made the decision last week after a disciplinary hearing was held regarding charges of sexual misconduct against the 38-year-old former officer.
Using the "preponderance of evidence" standard under civil service rules and fueled by a record of prior discipline problems, Johnson was immediately terminated and removed from payroll as of Thursday, May 25.
During the hearing at the Town Hall last Monday, three women made accusations of indecent exposure.
As a result of hearing their testimonies, Agnew found just cause to fire Johnson due to violations of the rules and regulations within the police department - conduct unbecoming of an officer, courtesy, neglect of duty and immoral conduct.
On woman claimed he exposed and fondled himself in front of her while working in the dispatcher's office at the police department in December 2003. Another woman made allegations of indecent sexual assault. She claimed Johnson exposed himself at her home and put her hand on his genitals while he was on duty in July of 2002.
Both cases, along with a third involving similar allegations that Johnson exposed and fondled himself while off duty during after hours at the bar of the Hatherly Country Club in the summer of 2001 - although not part of last week's hearing - previously went to trial at Hingham District Court. Johnson was acquitted in all three cases against him.
A third testimony during the disciplinary hearing involved a Marshfield woman who had a prior relationship with Johnson, but said he visited her home about eight years ago while on duty and exposed and fondled himself in front of her.
Johnson did not testify against nor did he present any witnesses regarding any of these allegations last week.
In a letter written to Johnson regarding his termination, Agnew wrote that none of the three witnesses who testified knew each other, but "told a similar pattern of misconduct".
"When considered together, and given the fact you did not testify, I believe the evidence was overwhelming that you engaged in the misconduct alleged against you," he wrote.
Johnson's past disciplinary record also included a two-day suspension upheld in October 2000 by the Civil Service Commission relating to "incompetence, neglect of duty and furnishing assistance" by his unauthorized release of a high school acquaintance that had been arrested. Agnew wrote that the Commission said Johnson "concocted" his testimony and it "completely incredible". Two other cases of discipline involved falsifying a private detail slip and falsifying a Breathalyzer score as indicated by the Commission.
Johnson's attorney during last week's hearing, Michael Williams of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, could not be reached for comment.
Johnson now has the right to appeal the decision through the Civil Service Commission or a grievance arbitrator.
Town Administrator Richard Agnew made the decision last week after a disciplinary hearing was held regarding charges of sexual misconduct against the 38-year-old former officer.
Using the "preponderance of evidence" standard under civil service rules and fueled by a record of prior discipline problems, Johnson was immediately terminated and removed from payroll as of Thursday, May 25.
During the hearing at the Town Hall last Monday, three women made accusations of indecent exposure.
As a result of hearing their testimonies, Agnew found just cause to fire Johnson due to violations of the rules and regulations within the police department - conduct unbecoming of an officer, courtesy, neglect of duty and immoral conduct.
On woman claimed he exposed and fondled himself in front of her while working in the dispatcher's office at the police department in December 2003. Another woman made allegations of indecent sexual assault. She claimed Johnson exposed himself at her home and put her hand on his genitals while he was on duty in July of 2002.
Both cases, along with a third involving similar allegations that Johnson exposed and fondled himself while off duty during after hours at the bar of the Hatherly Country Club in the summer of 2001 - although not part of last week's hearing - previously went to trial at Hingham District Court. Johnson was acquitted in all three cases against him.
A third testimony during the disciplinary hearing involved a Marshfield woman who had a prior relationship with Johnson, but said he visited her home about eight years ago while on duty and exposed and fondled himself in front of her.
Johnson did not testify against nor did he present any witnesses regarding any of these allegations last week.
In a letter written to Johnson regarding his termination, Agnew wrote that none of the three witnesses who testified knew each other, but "told a similar pattern of misconduct".
"When considered together, and given the fact you did not testify, I believe the evidence was overwhelming that you engaged in the misconduct alleged against you," he wrote.
Johnson's past disciplinary record also included a two-day suspension upheld in October 2000 by the Civil Service Commission relating to "incompetence, neglect of duty and furnishing assistance" by his unauthorized release of a high school acquaintance that had been arrested. Agnew wrote that the Commission said Johnson "concocted" his testimony and it "completely incredible". Two other cases of discipline involved falsifying a private detail slip and falsifying a Breathalyzer score as indicated by the Commission.
Johnson's attorney during last week's hearing, Michael Williams of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, could not be reached for comment.
Johnson now has the right to appeal the decision through the Civil Service Commission or a grievance arbitrator.
