By Amanda Plotts
COMMERCIAL POINT — A reserve officer was recently
suspended from the Commercial Point Police Department, stemming from an
investigation being done on a 2012 incident report the officer wrote.
Officer Robert Barna, who has served in his capacity
of reserve officer for 10 years, was suspended on July 8.
The incident report dated February 24, 2012 and
written by Barna states that he was conducting a traffic stop. During this
time, another citizen drove up to the scene and was not complying with Barna’s
instructions and obstructing official business. Barna called dispatch for
backup and Barna handcuffed the citizen and placed him in the police vehicle.
At this time, Barna stated in his report, that several
other vehicles started arriving at the location that were not police or
emergency vehicles. Among the civilians arriving were Mayor Joe Hammond,
councilman Clarence Wissinger and councilman Randy Shelton.
In his report, Barna said that Shelton stated “this
does not need to be handled this way” and was referring to the arrest of the
citizen. At this time, the mayor requested to speak with Barna and, after their
discussion, Barna felt his position as a reserve police officer could be in
jeopardy. Barna ended up releasing the citizen with no charges against him.
Mike Hess, village solicitor, said the incident report
came to his attention after a public request was made for the document. Hess
said he questioned why a document from 2012 was coming up now.
After Hess discussed the report with those involved, a
meeting was requested with Barna.
Shelton was concerned because the incident report did
not have accurate information. Shelton said he has never met Barna prior to the
meeting they had on July 7. He has records that show where he was the day the
incident report was filed that stemmed from car repairs and personal
circumstances.
Shelton said that Barna’s report shows him trying to
abuse his power and he has never gone to a police stop prior to being a council
member or after.
According to Hess, Hammond and Wissinger agree that
they were at the scene, but dispute other statements made by Barna.
Hess said there is also concern that the report
available now is not the way it was originally written in 2012. Barna admitted
that he changed the report but would not give an exact date. There is no way to
tell on the document when changes were made.
Hess said that it was the mayor’s decision to
investigate the situation and place the officer on leave until it was completed
and that the Adam Jordan, chief of police, is investigating the situation.
Barna said that he told council and the mayor from the
start of their meeting that he did not feel comfortable with the situation.
Barna said he was told there was litigation going on with former village police
sergeant John Murphy — who was terminated on April 28 due to lack of meeting
professional requirement — and this was how the document came to their
attention. Barna said he responded by saying there is nothing he can do about
that.
Barna said that at the time he filed the incident
report in 2012, he was concerned about losing his job if he documented it on
the report. Barna said that he doesn’t have protection as a reserve officer and
the mayor can get rid of him at any time.
Other officers and the chief were aware of the
situation when it happened in 2012, Barna said.
“Looking back at the situation, I should have dealt
with it then,” Barna said. “It should have been there from the start.”
The reason Barna said he changed the incident report
was because of everything that has been going on with the village police
department in the recent months and he felt that it needed to be on the report.
The village council will consider an ordinance at their meeting next month on
possibly abolishing the current police department and contracting for services
with the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Barna said he still wants his job at the police
department but stands by what he wrote on the incident report 100 percent.
Attempts were made to contact Jordan in regards to the
situation but no return call was made.
