He was named Officer of the Year twice and was even called a
hero after an officer-involved shooting in 2008, but now that same Greece
police officer has been placed on involuntary leave.
Most jails are now equipped with surveillance cameras for the protection of both the officers and those under arrest. Greece Police Chief Todd Baxter was looking through last week's footage when he noticed what he calls 'unprofessional' behavior by one of his officers.
Most jails are now equipped with surveillance cameras for the protection of both the officers and those under arrest. Greece Police Chief Todd Baxter was looking through last week's footage when he noticed what he calls 'unprofessional' behavior by one of his officers.
"I don't like the level of the force or the conduct of
the police officer at that moment," Baxter said.
John Schneider, 51, is seen in his mugshot with a small cut
on his forehead and bruising around his cheek and eye; all injuries the chief
says Schneider received while in police custody.
"This is our review of our own folks, keeping them to a
high standard, if they don't meet that high standard, we're going to
investigate."
Police arrested Schneider Saturday for violating a
restraining order and breaking a garage window on his wife's property, but when
he was brought back to the jail, Chief Todd Baxter says an altercation occurred
between Schneider and one of the officers.
Schneider was brought to the hospital for minor injuries.
Baxter said there's an internal investigation underway to determine if
appropriate force was used.
"You've got a person that's got to be moved from point
A to point B let's say, get up and get in the jail cell, no, you're already
under arrest, you're already handcuffed, resisted arrest and in handcuffs, so
he's gotta use some kind of force to move him, but is there better ways to do
business than what he chose to do?"
While Baxter is not stating the officer's name, he did say
he was involved in an officer-involved shooting and was credited with saving a
woman. Our archives identify that officer as Shaun Moore.
According to the arrest report, Shaun Moore was one of the
arresting officers in this case. Baxter did say Moore hasn't been at work and
won't be returning next week.
Schneider is currently in the Monroe County Jail on six
charges including criminal mischief and harassment.