Post by WaTcHeR on Nov 1, 2006 15:38:44 GMT -5
11.01.2006 - HOWLAND — Police Officer Jeffrey Zelinsky was fired by township trustees Monday following a three-hour disciplinary hearing.
Zelinsky’s termination, which was immediate, was recommended by police Chief Paul Monroe last month because of an incident Sept. 9 at the Forest Hills Drive home of Dr. George Ralph, who has a dental practice in Champion.
An internal affairs investigation into Ralph’s arrest led to allegations that Zelinsky entered Ralph’s home ‘‘without just cause.’’ The dentist filed a civil rights complaint against the officer, and the charges against Ralph were later dismissed. The officer was responding to a parking complaint at the home that resulted in Ralph being arrested for disorderly conduct and obstructing official business.
The officer’s fate was determined after evidence was presented at a hearing that was conducted similar to a criminal trial.
Zelinsky declined to comment following the hearing.
‘‘This is an unfortunate and regrettable situation, but the evidence was compelling, and I would have been surprised if the trustees did not terminate him,’’ township legal counsel Charles Richards said.
Most of Monday’s testimony centered on Zelinsky’s entering the home, how much alcohol Ralph consumed at the family’s annual clam bake, and if the dentist resisted arrest or threatened the officer in any way.
Ralph’s daughter, Kimberly, testified that she answered the door that night and began talking to Zelinsky before the officer came into the home and pushed her father against the wall.
She said her father didn’t know who was at the door because the officer was standing on the opposite side of the double doors where her dad couldn’t see him.
‘‘I have been having nightmares about this incident,’’ she said, sobbing on the stand. ‘‘He took the most important man in my life and made him nothing.’’
Ralph testified he tried asking his daughter a question while she was speaking to Zelinsky, and the officer told him he was interfering with official business.
‘‘The next thing I knew, he had me up against the wall,’’ Ralph said.
Monroe said it was a sad day in the history of the police department.
‘‘He was a good officer who made a bad decision. Unfortunately, it reflects badly on the whole department, and I hope his firing restores the public’s trust,’’ Monroe said.
www.tribune-chronicle.com/News/articles.asp?articleID=10648
Zelinsky’s termination, which was immediate, was recommended by police Chief Paul Monroe last month because of an incident Sept. 9 at the Forest Hills Drive home of Dr. George Ralph, who has a dental practice in Champion.
An internal affairs investigation into Ralph’s arrest led to allegations that Zelinsky entered Ralph’s home ‘‘without just cause.’’ The dentist filed a civil rights complaint against the officer, and the charges against Ralph were later dismissed. The officer was responding to a parking complaint at the home that resulted in Ralph being arrested for disorderly conduct and obstructing official business.
The officer’s fate was determined after evidence was presented at a hearing that was conducted similar to a criminal trial.
Zelinsky declined to comment following the hearing.
‘‘This is an unfortunate and regrettable situation, but the evidence was compelling, and I would have been surprised if the trustees did not terminate him,’’ township legal counsel Charles Richards said.
Most of Monday’s testimony centered on Zelinsky’s entering the home, how much alcohol Ralph consumed at the family’s annual clam bake, and if the dentist resisted arrest or threatened the officer in any way.
Ralph’s daughter, Kimberly, testified that she answered the door that night and began talking to Zelinsky before the officer came into the home and pushed her father against the wall.
She said her father didn’t know who was at the door because the officer was standing on the opposite side of the double doors where her dad couldn’t see him.
‘‘I have been having nightmares about this incident,’’ she said, sobbing on the stand. ‘‘He took the most important man in my life and made him nothing.’’
Ralph testified he tried asking his daughter a question while she was speaking to Zelinsky, and the officer told him he was interfering with official business.
‘‘The next thing I knew, he had me up against the wall,’’ Ralph said.
Monroe said it was a sad day in the history of the police department.
‘‘He was a good officer who made a bad decision. Unfortunately, it reflects badly on the whole department, and I hope his firing restores the public’s trust,’’ Monroe said.
www.tribune-chronicle.com/News/articles.asp?articleID=10648