Elyria police officer suspended after arrest
Brad Dicken | The Chronicle-Telegram
ELYRIA — A veteran Elyria police officer has been suspended with pay following his Sept. 29 arrest for domestic violence.
Patrolman Scott Willis, 52, has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge in Chardon Municipal Court.
Willis, who joined the force in 1990 after four years with the Vermilion police, is accused of pushing and hitting his wife during the altercation at his Chester Township home in Geauga County, Chester Township police Chief Mark Purchase said.
Police were called to Willis’ home about 7:30 p.m. that night after his wife, Wendy Willis, called police, Purchase said.
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“It was a verbal argument that turned physical,” he said.
When officers arrived they found Wendy Willis and a daughter waiting in the driveway. Wendy Willis told officers that Scott Willis had pushed and hit her, and she had visible bruises on her body, Purchase said.
Scott Willis was taken into custody without resistance, Purchase said, adding that his status as a police officer was not mentioned in the report.
Elyria police Chief Mike Medders said Willis will remain on administrative leave from his approximately $50,000-a-year job until the court case is resolved. If convicted, Willis could receive up to six months in jail.
Medders declined further comment, and Willis hung up when reached by phone.
According to Willis’ personnel file, he has had mostly positive reviews during his career with the department, which included a stint as a detective and evidence technician from 2000 through 2006.
But Willis has had some complaints against him over the years, mostly from coworkers and supervisors who had problems with his attitude, according to disciplinary records.
Most recently, he was reprimanded for conduct unbecoming an officer during an Aug. 30, 2007, roll call meeting that had to be stopped after Willis grew upset.
The report on the incident noted that there had been other problems with Willis complaining about job assignments.
But Willis’ attitude had improved since he was reprimanded, according to his December 2007 performance review.
Contact Brad Dicken at 329-7147 or bdicken@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Brad Dicken | The Chronicle-Telegram October 11th, 2008 in BREAKING, Top Stories. Popularity: 4% |
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Comments
Comment from
joesmoe
October 11, 2008, 3:51 am
We seen this before!. My prediction is he will get out of this charge when the wife changes her mind and he will get all his pay. It’s like a broken record.
Comment from
spidey
October 11, 2008, 10:22 am
or maybe Kim will request him be fired too. Maybe harass this guy like she does the chief.
Comment from
MyLyria
October 11, 2008, 1:28 pm
Suspension with pay is a vacation. A vacation for committing a crime. I wish I had that luxury, but even so, I just try not to commit crimes. My tax dollars at work. How disgraceful!
Comment from
alchemist
October 11, 2008, 5:36 pm
Wonder if he drives his city vehicle home in Chester Township with gas paid for by the citizens?
Comment from
momof2
October 11, 2008, 6:10 pm
If you do not live in lorain county you do not get a city vehicle. If you do not what you are talking about keep your mouths shut…
Comment from
rotorcs
October 11, 2008, 8:38 pm
wow momof2 I sense some hostility there. He only asked a question that you answered.
Comment from
Jenn
October 11, 2008, 8:58 pm
wow, Lorain county is pretty big. I think that’s the first area that they should cut - if you don’t live in Elyria, you shouldn’t be driving your city vehicle home.
Comment from
vico
October 12, 2008, 11:17 am
Officers pay milage on take home vehicles if they live outside the city they work in. People really should take the time to educate themselves before spouting out about things they really don’t know anything about. It’s a shame that everytime a negative story gets published involving cops people just want to bash them. Think about all the good things they also do. A lot of domestic violence cases get plead down or dismissed for a host of reasons. The cops are not the only ones getting deals in court. Should Ford workers or engineers at NASA be the only ones to get deals in court. Think people.
Comment from
crytal07
October 12, 2008, 3:41 pm
This is not the first time that there is complaints about this officer. He is just very rude and he lets his power go to his head. Treats you any kind of way due to his badge. Look now karma has come full turn and now he is in the place of the people that he treated bad. The desk duty is where he needs to stay, with a dose of anger management classes. This is not the definition of peace officer.
Comment from
concernedparent
October 16, 2008, 6:26 pm
First let’s deal with the facts of the matter. Paid administrative leave is not a suspension. Unlike being a factory worker, landscaper, doctor, lawyer or any other host of jobs, a domestic violence conviction is grounds for termination for a police officer. You can get as many convictions for domestic violence you want and still operate a machine, cut grass, or sue an insurance company. Secondly, how is the issue of the take home car for police relevant how to the article posted? To Mylira: Does the concept of innocent until proven guilty ring a bell? You say a vacation with pay? Let’s make you stay home and wonder if your lively hood is going to be taken away forever. In regards to YOUR TAX DOLLARS at work, unless your salary is currently in the ball park of 15 million, it isn’t your tax dollars. You contribute about 4 cents for every dollar towards a salary. To Jenn, remember that the next time the power goes out and you want police at the intersections immediately or another stand-off takes place. Feel free to exercise your right to speak freely, but do so with an informed mind.
Comment from
Lovinglife4me
October 17, 2008, 12:05 am
I knew this officer when he only had a couple years on the force. He was very nice and had a sense of humor. I’m very sorry to see him come to this. Makes me wonder what kind of things he’s seen that might have brought him to where he is. His family’s in my prayers and so is he!
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