In the notice of charges approved by the trustees on Friday, Etter is accused of violating police department general orders and the township’s personnel policies.
Two nonfeasance charges and a misconduct in office/malfeasance charge stem from statements Etter made Oct. 4, according to the notice of charges. The document says Etter was aware that day of a harassment claim, and aware of a judge’s allegations of racism by an employee, and failed to investigate either. It also says he derided and gossiped about members of the police department.
Credit: RED BRICKS PHOTOGRAPHY
Credit: RED BRICKS PHOTOGRAPHY
A final malfeasance charge was from Dec. 7, according to the notice of charges, when multiple individuals alleged Etter “was generally condescending, misogynistic, and rude” and that he “regularly used unprofessional language which was not appropriate for the situation.”
According to the document obtained by the Dayton Daily News, the investigation began around that same day, Dec. 7. Investigators interviewed Etter and others, and reviewed an audio recording between Etter and another person, whose name was redacted.
Etter began working for Miami Twp. police in May 2000. In August 2020, Etter was promoted from sergeant to the newly created position of professional standards lieutenant, supervising a detective sergeant and seven civilian employees. In June 2023, Etter moved up the ranks from lieutenant to assistant chief.
