Mike Chitwood is used to taking heat for some of the things he does. He's known to speak his mind, and doesn't mind using the media to get his message across. They don't call him 'Media Mike' for nothing.
But Chitwood is taking some heat these days from an unusual source - inside his own department.
It's not a secret that there are plenty of folks in law enforcement who don't care for Chitwood's high-profile way of handling police reports, usually sprinkled with some colorful language such as labeling those breaking the law in his burg 'lowlifes' or 'scumbags.'
But a recent incident put his own department and two of his officers in the crosshairs. On Friday the township moved to terminate two officers who had been captured on video in some kind of an incident with a minor in the police station.
From what I've been told, a group of teens had been brought in for shoplifting. One of them apparently got into an altercation with an officer. It was captured on the video system that is used throughout the police department.
Ironically, it's not the teens who brought the incident to light. They have not filed a complaint against the officers. At least not yet. Instead, it was the officers themselves who reported the incident. They went to their supervisor and indicated the scenario was likely on the video. Township police protocol was followed. The supervising sergeant reported it to the patrol captain, who in turn contacted the chief. Township officials were notified and it was handed over to the county District Attorney's office for an external investigation.But the township didn't wait for the results from the D.A. The two officers, Michael Givens, an eight-year veteran, and Ryan Wiseley, a seven-year vet, were terminated.
Township officials, including the usually loquacious Chitwood, aren't talking about this one. But some officers are. One called me and said he believed the township jumped the gun, that they didn't follow township policy.
"The most these guys should be looking at is a 15-day suspension," said the officer, who did not want to be named.
I got the distinct impression this guy is not Chitwood's biggest fan.
Yesterday the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 27 indicated they would challenge the two fired officers' dismissal.
Interestingly enough, the video of the incident has not been released.
Now it looks like it's up to the D.A. to make a ruling.
In the past, Chitwood has not always seen eye-to-eye with the D.A.'s office either. Of course that was before Jack Whelan took office. Still, it will be very interesting to see what the D.A. rules.
We'll let you know when they do.
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