An internal
investigation stemming from a dispute between a supervisor and a patrolman has
led to a three-day suspension for a third officer at Vermilion Police
Department.
Last month,
administrators began probing the rift between Vermilion police Sgt. Aaron
Bolton and Officer Craig Howell.
The
long-running feud centered on Howell’s relationship with his own girlfriend and
Bolton’s disapproval of the relationship, according to internal police
documents the Register obtained through a public records request.
Bolton
also accused Howell of profiling women by age and appearance during traffic
stops, according to the documents.
After
speaking to Howell about the allegations, police supervisors determined they
were unfounded.
In
a formal complaint dated Sept. 10, Howell said his friction with Bolton started
in April. That’s when Howell started dating a woman who was friends with Bolton
and Bolton’s wife, according to the complaint. Bolton made it clear he didn’t
approve of Howell’s relationship with the woman, the document stated.
Other
events transpired in the months that followed, but Howell never made a formal
complaint — that is, until Bolton sent an email to the commander of Erie County’s
Special Response Team. The email suggested Howell wasn’t suited for the unit.
At
that point, Howell sent his supervisors a three-page letter detailing his
formal complaints against Bolton. In short, he accused
Bolton of various misdeeds, such as providing Howell’s private address to a
resident during a police ride-along, and making false allegations about
misconduct. He also accused Bolton of namecalling and defamation, among other
things.
Supervisors
interviewed Bolton, Howell and a third officer, David Jones, about the
allegations.
The
bulk of the investigation’s findings have since been sent to Vermilion law
director Ken Stumphauzer for review.
Jones
was suspended for three days. Police documents show Jones played a part in
driving a police ride-along passenger past Howell’s home. The passenger was
previously engaged to Howell’s girlfriend.
“While the lion’s
share of the blame for that incident rests on another’s shoulders, you still
bear your share of the blame for failing to recognize a malicious and
inappropriate act and partaking in it,” police Chief Chris Hartung wrote in a
disciplinary letter to Jones. “You and you alone answer for your integrity and
cannot allow your actions to be guided by those of questionable character.”