Whitehall debates investigation into police force
WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Whitehall city council member has proposed an investigation into the workplace environment of the Whitehall Police Department, which has been under fire for nearly a year after multiple lawsuits.
Councilmember Gerald Dixon drafted the resolution along with the help of the city attorney. He said Tuesday he wants to get to the bottom of the battle between the Police Department and the local Fraternal Order of Police.
"I had two sides coming to council giving their viewpoints on the matter. One said that this was the issue, and the other said that's not the issue. And this has been going on for some time. It was a lot of, he said he said, and I'm just tired of it. For me, it's just trying to find the truth," Dixon explained.
The proposal would give the City Council the opportunity to seek independent and outside investigators, or conduct an investigation themselves.
It all stems from a survey presented by the FOP and President Brian Steel earlier this year. The report claimed multiple Whitehall Police officers accused Chief Mike Crispin of creating a hostile work environment. The Police Department responded with a survey of their own that counteracts the claims from the FOP.
However, the city and police are currently being sued by at least one former officer for wrongful termination. Chief Crispen responded to that lawsuit by saying the officer in question was fired for poor performance and refusal to change.
In addition, the department is being sued by the estate of Alexander Menhennet for wrongful death after he died days after an altercation with Whitehall Police.
All of these allegations and altercations have led to Dixon proposing the resolution to investigate, interview officers, and get to the bottom of the department's actions.
"We've heard from Chief Crispin, we've heard from Michael Bivens, the mayor who didn't want to investigate the issue. And then we also hear from the FOP coming in here several times and asking the council to please use their powers under the charter to investigate the matter," Dixon said.
Bivens went back and forth with Dixon for about 20 minutes at Tuesday night's council meeting. He challenged the council's power to even approve such an investigation. He challenged Dixon personally to recite the city charter.
"He grilled me as if I was on the witness stand. And, so that I'm not surprised by. But, you know, he's one side of he said he said. And so, you know, I don't understand why he would have such an issue with it," said Dixon after the meeting.
At one point during the exchange, Dixon said, "Bring them on. Otherwise this is the resolution and that's it," with the Mayor replying, "Well, Mr. Dixon, I will bring it on."
Bivens left the meeting before NBC4 had a chance to speak with him.
Chief Mike Crispen spoke to NBC4 after the meeting who blames the local FOP for the ongoing attention his department is getting.
"I don't think the survey sparked this [investigation]. I think the FOP sparked the survey," he said.
Crispen said his department is willing to open up to an investigation if the FOP will agree to release their information as well.
"You can't have a one-sided investigation. The FOP needs to be a part of this investigation. Those doors need to be opened up. I opened the doors to say, we'll welcome them. Let's do it. Let's do a full-blown investigation of how we got here. Let's include the FOP. Let's see who was actually present, who actually did those things. Are they willing to open their doors?" explained Crispen.
The resolution will not be voted on until the third reading, which will be sometime in December.