Published: July 25, 2008 01:30 am      

Suspended officers to fight decision

Hearing on disciplinary action set for Sept. 8

Suspended Kokomo police officers Capt. Greg Davis and Lt. Jeff Kirk will have their chance to refute allegations of procedure violations at a Sept. 8 hearing.

The officers have been on administrative paid leave since March 24 for allegedly violating department policies and procedures while investigating what they believed was corruption within the department.

After an internal investigation, Chief Rob Baker recommended the two be demoted to patrol officers and be suspended — Kirk for 10 days and Davis for five days.

Per Baker’s request, Kirk would also have to undergo a psychological evaluation before returning to work.

After hearing the recommended discipline, both officers elected to have a hearing before the Kokomo Board of Public Works & Safety to dispute the allegations.

That hearing is set for Sept. 8 at City Hall.

Davis was initially demoted to his previous rank of captain by the board of works shortly after being placed on paid administrative leave.

The two officers have been required to stay at home during regular work hours and do not have access to their department office spaces.

Davis and Kirk are being represented by attorneys John Kautzman and Elizabeth Bemis with the Ruckleshaus, Roland, Kautzman, Blackwell and Hasbrook law firm of Indianapolis.

Davis has been a member of the department since September 1979, and Kirk has been with the department since September 1981.

Mike Fletcher may be reached at (765) 454-8565 or via e-mail at mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com