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Township Trustees Tight-Lipped on Chief's Suspension

Updated: Tuesday, February 19 2013, 07:46 PM EST
MIFFLIN TWP., Ohio -- Frustrated citizens of Mifflin Township came to a Tuesday afternoon Board of Trustees meeting seeking answers: why was Police Chief Michael Pocock suspended?

Pocock was placed on paid administrative leave earlier this month but no one has been forthcoming with information as to why he's not allowed to come to work.

"We are reviewing his employment," Trustee Joseph Spanovich said.

Spanovich says the he and the other trustees are reviewing the situation surrounding Chief Pocock themselves. No outside investigators have been sought.

When asked if the Chief's suspension deals with a possible policy violation:

"That's a trick question," Spanovich claimed. "I can't answer that."

The lack of transparency regarding the Chief's suspension is frustrating taxpayers as well.

"I want to know what I'm paying for," Gloria Chandler said. "I'm just fed up because you can't get no answers!"

No answers and no clues. According to the Township's Communications Department, there are no public documents concerning the reasons why Pocock was suspended; everything was discussed among trustees verbally.

ABC 6/FOX 28 requested dozens of public records including Pocock's personnel file; none of which define a reason for his suspension.

Although Pocock has held the position for eight years, his personnel file did not include any yearly performance evaluations or a job description.