Police misconduct alleged by residents

SALINEVILLE—Salineville residents made accusations against a Salineville police officer Monday at the council meeting.

Donald and Shannon Horne of McKinley Avenue came forward about an incident that occurred May 30 with a particular Salineville officer and their juvenile son and daughter.

In police records, it was reported that the department received a complaint stating the boy in question had threatened another juvenile. Michael Garber, the responding officer then spotted the male, in the company of three others, one being his sister, on West Main Street. The male was smoking a cigarette. The report states that the boy was then asked his age and identity, which the boy refused to give.

The boy maintained that he was 18 years old, though he could not give a correct date of birth to support the claim. Reportedly, the officer proceeded to check him for weapons and the cigarettes were removed from his person.

According to the report, the mother, Shannon Horne, and grandmother, Dorothy Hawk, arrived on the scene, parked their van in the lane of travel and on the sidewalk, and were causing too great of a disturbance to allow an explanation pertaining to why the officer was in contact with the young man.

The report states that Horne was concerned with an incident that took place prior to Friday and refused to listen to what the officer was attempting to tell her.

Monday, both Horne and Hawk were served summons’ to Municipal Court by officer Glen LaClair.

The police report states that Horne and Hawk were both present and were explained the manner of their charges which included disorderly conduct.

While at the residence, it is stated in the report that the Horne family intended to come to the village council meeting and complain about the patrolman who handled Friday’s incident. She is reported as stating that there were other citizens who wanted the patrolman fired. It is also stated in the report that she was informed of how to file a complaint against an officer by contacting police chief Timothy S. LaClair.

“There are policies and procedures for citizens to follow to file complaints against officers, which has not yet been followed in this case,” LaClair commented Tuesday. “At this time, no one has come to me with any complaints against this officer and I stand behind him 100 percent.”

Shannon Horne’s version of the incident brought to council’s attention Monday was different than the police report provided by the chief.

Horne said the officer acted in a disorderly manner toward her and her children, using inappropriate language and disregarding her requests for information about why her children had been stopped.

Horne said the officer told her not to ask questions because he was the one with the badge.

In addition, Horne said she asked the officer for help concerning sexual harassment threats made to her daughter and she said he refused to help or provide guidance.

“I asked him, who do I call for a report of rape,” Shannon Horne said. “I was asking for help and he was threatening me like a criminal.”

According to the police department, there are no pending rape charges but harassment accusations were filed Monday.

Several other village citizens came forward at Monday’s meeting in support of the Horne family.

“You really have some people on the police force council needs to take a look at,” Deanne Beadnell said. “People... shouldn’t have to worry about their children being harassed by the police.”

The chief said that he has full trust in the integrity, commitment and decision making of the officer in question and will continue to stand behind him.

Source: The Review