Circleville Police Chief Shawn Baer has been placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation into allegations of misconduct, the Office of the Circleville City Law Director confirmed to WOSU.
Baer allegedly harassed, intimidated, retaliated against, and threatened to discipline someone. He's also accused of misusing his position and filing improper expenditures. Baer also allegedly failed to adhere to deadlines on the job and committed timekeeping violations.
Mayor Michelle Blanton sent Baer the letter on Monday outlining the laundry list of allegations and said Baer will be on paid administrative leave. The person targeted in the misconduct is unidentified.
The city hired Baer as police chief in 2015. He started at the department in 1995 according to reporting from the Circleville Herald.
Last year, Baer fired Officer Ryan Speakman after the city faced criticism for Speakman's actions after he ordered a K-9 to attack an unarmed Black man named Jaddarius Rose who was surrendering to police after he was pulled over following a multi-county police chase.
Baer didn't fire Speakman for his actions that day according to public records, but was fired because Baer ordered Speakman not to talk about the incident to others in the department, but Speakman refused to comply and cried to other officers about the situation.
The city settled with Rose for $225,000 and with Speakman for $40,000. Speakman and the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association had filed a grievance with the city over his firing.
Pickaway County Sheriff Matthew Hafey was requested to be present by Blanton when she told Baer he was being placed on leave. Hafey said in a report obtained by WOSU that he transported Baer to the police station and escorted him to the office where he retrieved personal items and then transported Baer to his residence where he turned over two department issued firearms, his badge, three office keys and his police department credentials.
Hafey said she later retrieved Baer's city issued cell phone and turned over all of the items to the mayor except for the firearms.
The city said in a press release that Baer is required to remain available to answer any further inquiries related to the investigation, but he is not allowed be on city property or have contact with any city employees, unless he has prior approval.
When asked by WOSU for further comment about the investigation, Circleville City Law Director Kendra Kinney declined to issue an additional statement.
