Township end-runs open records in suspending controversial police chief

From The Akron Beacon Journal Brimfield Township Police Chief David Oliver, whose daily insights into small-town law enforcement have made him an Internet hit across the country, has been suspended for violating department policy.

No one from the township, not even the normally talkative chief, will disclose the nature of the violations that led to Oliver being notified of his two-week unpaid suspension, effective Tuesday.

“I’m not going to tell you,” township attorney Gregory Beck replied when asked why the chief was suspended. Beck later said the chief was disciplined for “gender discrimination issues related to an employee of the department.”

Beck would not identify the accuser by sex or job description. He said the township intentionally hired an outside attorney to conduct an internal investigation and to ensure confidentiality. The attorney, Jennifer Arnold of Alliance, then submitted an oral report to the township, thus eliminating any trail of public documents.

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