July 30, 2007
By Tom Bosco
An Ohio University Police Department officer has been fired and indefinitely banned from university property for violating university and OUPD policies on misconduct, insubordination and harassment. Greg Sloane was terminated effective today for allegedly threatening a superior.
An investigation found that Sloane threatened an OUPD lieutenant with bodily harm in a telephone call on May 12, 2007. Sloane has been on paid administrative leave since that time.
OUPD investigated the incident and recommended to University Human Resources that Sloane be terminated. At a human resources hearing July 9, a hearing officer determined Sloane violated university and OUPD policies regarding insubordination, misconduct, conduct unbecoming an officer, mistreatment of department members, harassment, workplace violence and malfeasance. The hearing officer also recommended Sloane be fired and banned from university property for any purpose.
In a letter to Sloane, Jim Kemper, associate vice president for finance and administration for human resources, stated, "Police officers are held to a higher standard (and must) conduct themselves in a manner that brings credit, not disrespect, (to) their department." Sloane could file a grievance to challenge the firing through the Fraternal Order of Police and can appeal the ban through the Office of Legal Affairs.
"As police officers, we are trusted and empowered by the public we serve to maintain order and keep the peace," OUPD Chief Mike Martinsen said. "Threatening to commit serious physical harm to another is absolutely unacceptable on any level, particularly in the law enforcement profession, where we are employed to keep the peace."
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