CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — The acting chief of the Circleville Police Department was placed on administrative leave, according to the Circleville mayor's office. The announcement comes two weeks after the city's police chief Shawn Baer was placed on leave and almost a week after the safety director was fired.
Interim Chief Doug Davis was placed on paid leave from the police department on Monday because of an investigation into alleged employee misconduct, the letter stated. City officials did not provide specific details on the allegations against Davis.
“The City took this action in order to protect the integrity of the department while the investigation is ongoing,” Mayor Michelle Blanton said in the letter.
Blanton did not specify who would replace Davis as head of the police department but said that it “is in the capable hands of experienced leaders within the Agency.”
Davis was appointed to fill in for Baer, who was also placed on paid administrative leave for potential misconduct allegations. He was accused of the following:
- Harassment
- Intimidation
- Retaliation
- Threats of discipline
- Misuse of position
- Improper expenditures
- Failure to adhere to deadlines
- Timekeeping violations
The city did not specify the situation in which the allegations against Baer originated.
Baer and Davis will remain on leave until the investigation is completed and the results are presented. The mayor said until then, they are not to step on city property, speak with city employees and disclose details on the investigation.
Circleville city officials fired its safety director less than two weeks after Baer was placed on administrative leave.
Steve Wilkinson was fired three days after he was hired for the role. He told 10TV that he was sworn in in secret and Blanton never publicly announced his role.
City officials did not provide specific details on why Wilkinson was terminated from his position.
Circleville City Law Director Kendra Kinney said the city will not comment on the investigations into Baer and Davis and Wilkinson’s termination.