COLUMBUS (WCMH)–The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that nine employees will be disciplined after a student was injured at Basic Peace Officer Training in March.
The sheriff’s office launched an internal investigation after the incident, which occurred during a subject control scenario at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Training Academy.
PDF: PR – Training Academy Administrative Investigation
The sheriff’s office said the following employees will be disciplined:
- Lt. Keith Cooper – 30 day suspension
- Cpl. Lucas Holt – 20 day suspension
- Dep. James Dishong – 15 day suspension
- Sgt. David Barrick – 3 day suspension
- Dep. Jason Evans – 3 day suspension
- Dep. Charles Hamilton – written reprimand
- Dep. Maynard Keaton – written reprimand
- Dep. Mike Jackson – written reprimand
- Lt. Nathaniel Sheppard – removed from Training Academy assignment
All but one has left or will be leaving their Training Academy assignment for another assignment within the sheriff’s office.
“As Sheriff, I expect the highest caliber of professional conduct from all of my staff,” Sheriff Zach Scott said in the release. “While the deputies involved in the training incident may have acted with good intentions, their actions fell outside of the conduct required by the Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures and my own expectations. I take seriously rules infractions committed by my staff, and as a consequence render discipline in a fair, but responsive manner. I have made my decision regarding appropriate disciplinary sanctions and consider the matter closed. I, as Sheriff, and my staff will move forward to provide the best training possible and to earn the respect and trust of both the public and Sheriff’s Office personnel.”
