Pubdate: Sun, 22 Nov 2015
Source: Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Copyright: 2015 Morning Journal
Contact:  http://www.morningjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3569

FIRING OF POLICE CHIEF IN VERMILLION WAS JUSTIFIED

Vermilion police Capt. Michael Reinheimer's termination from his 
department did not come as a shock.

Reinheimer has faced discipline in the past.

The last straw came when Reinheimer decided to wear a pin on his 
department issued police jacket supporting marijuana legalization at 
a police auction Nov. 7.

Why, Capt. Reinheimer?

There's nothing wrong with taking a stance on something you believe 
in. In this case, Reinheimer wants marijuana to be legal.

What the captain did was wrong. He violated department policy by 
altering his uniform.

The city of Vermilion fired Reinheimer on Nov. 17 following a 
disciplinary hearing four days earlier for several instances of 
misconduct and policy violations.

Unfortunately for Reinheimer, a 15-year veteran, the suspension 
before his dismissal was the second time this year he was placed on 
administrative leave. His cavalier attitude toward following the law 
and department policies sent him packing.

Mayor Eileen Bulan, who also serves as the city's safety director, 
cited Reinheimer's 10-day suspension in August for driving with a 
suspended license, his direct violation of orders from his boss 
police Chief Chris Hartung, his "frequent" violation of duties as a 
firearms instructor, two letters of reprimand from Hartung and his 
attire at the auction as reasons for his termination.

Hartung apparently was fed up with Reinheimer.

Said Hartung: "That was one of many issues and a very minor issue at 
that. There were far more severe issues we were dealing with in the 
way of insubordination, falsification and multiple policy violations. 
The issue of the button was actually one of the last things that occurred."

The Police Department learned of at least four complaints against 
Reinheimer between Nov. 3 and Nov. 7, and a grievance in early 
October, and they were taken into consideration at his disciplinary hearing.

Hartung did not divulge details of the hearing.

Hartung said, "I would go as far to say there are policies and 
procedures that govern how the Police Department has to be run. And 
when you fail to adhere to those policies and procedures, it's 
devastating on the morale of the Department. It's unacceptable 
behavior for a command officer."

We agree.

Reinheimer will have a chance to appeal the firing.

But he must keep in mind that he actually broke state vehicle laws 
earlier this year by driving with a suspended license. Although it 
was a misdemeanor, it's still breaking the law, something that he was 
sworn in to uphold, and to protect and serve.

According to an Erie County Sheriff's Office report, at around 5:33 
p.m., July 20, Reinheimer was pulled over by a deputy who was driving 
behind Reinheimer. The deputy was conducting a random vehicle 
registration check and found that the plates on the black Cadillac 
that Reinheimer was driving belonged to a different car.

Reinheimer told authorities that he previously owned a silver 
Cadillac, but had the plates transferred over after he was involved 
in a crash in February while he was in Columbus.

Additionally, Reinheimer was driving even while he was under two open 
suspensions. He told the deputy he was unaware that his license were 
suspended and he had never received anything in the mail about it.

His punishment for breaking the law was paying a $250 fine plus court 
costs. He did not receive any preferential treatment. He's not above the law.

Reinheimer was off work for five days and he had to secure his 
driver's license before returning to his job.

The city of Vermilion was correct to terminate its relationship with 
Reinheimer.

It's unfortunate that Reinheimer lost his job. It's time, however, 
for the Department to move on.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom