MOUNT VERNON — Brian Hess will keep his job as director of the Knox County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and remain the E-9-1-1 coordinator.
The executive committee of the Knox County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Knox County E-9-1-1 board met together in a lengthy special executive session Thursday to review the results of an investigation conducted by the law firm of Isaac, Brant, Ledman & Teeter LLP.
The firm looked into complaints by certain E-9-1-1 dispatchers about alleged unprofessional and/or inappropriate conduct on the part of Hess and Deputy Director William Sturgeon. Because of those allegations, Hess has been on paid administrative leave since Dec. 13, 2010. The investigation involved conducting interviews and obtaining sworn affidavits from all employees of both bodies.
Although some of the information was conflicting, and some of the allegations were deemed to be unfounded or not worthy of disciplinary action, the executive committee agreed that Hess did permit and/or “participated in unprofessional behavior and/or behavior of an inappropriate nature.”
A resolution passed unanimously upon return to open session indicated Hess has largely acknowledged his behavior, shown appropriate remorse and is willing to remedy his behavior. Hess will be removed from paid administrative leave at the end of business today and will serve a five-day suspension without pay from Jan. 10 through Jan. 14. After that, he will fully assume his regular duties.
That same resolution reprimanded Sturgeon for also engaging in unprofessional behavior, although to a lesser extent than Hess. He was strongly cautioned that similar conduct in the future could result in more serious discipline, including dismissal.
Both Hess and Sturgeon will have training in non-harassment and non-discrimination, and were directed to meet with Sheriff David Barber, or his designee, once a month for the next 12 months to receive mentoring and guidance in the topics of professional management and supervision.
The E-9-1-1 board, under whose auspices the dispatchers work, unanimously passed a companion resolution in support of the EMA action. It also adopted a policy against discriminatory harassment, effective immediately, and all dispatchers assigned to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office will be offered the opportunity to transfer to the communications center at the Mount Vernon Police Department and vice versa.
Both resolutions warn employees not to engage in retaliation against anyone as a result of the complaints made or for participating in the investigation.
After the meeting, board members declined to openly discuss the specific nature of the complaints against Hess and Sturgeon.
Assistant county prosecutor Chip McConville said the dispatchers’ union, the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, was consulted and voiced no objection to the investigative process.
