Yellow Springs council approves settlement with police sergeant

UPDATE @ 10:35 p.m. (Sept. 6): The village council on Tuesday night approved a settlement agreement with one of its police sergeants who filed a complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

Namoi Watson, previously known as Naomi Penrod, filed a complaint with the state civil rights commission on Feb. 10.

As part of the agreement, the village will dismiss the disciplinary action, provide Watson with back pay and a 3 percent raise retroactive from Dec. 6 and pay Watson’s attorney fees which total $18,500.

Yellow Springs Village Manager Patti Bates imposed disciplinary action against the police sergeant, including a three-day suspension on Dec. 14, 2014, more than a month after village resident Athena Fannin reported Penrod twisted her wrists and took a recording device from her hands outside Fannin’s Allen Street home.

Two days of the suspension were enforced, and Penrod was also subject to a six-month “performance improvement period.”

Disciplinary action was also taken against Watson during her six month performance improvement period. The additional disciplinary action imposed during this time period will be removed from Watson’s personnel file as part of the settlement agreement.

In addition to the disciplinary action in connection with the incident that involved Fannin, Watson was placed on administrative leave with pay while facing assault, disorderly conduct and interfering with civil rights criminal charges in connection with the incident with Fannin.

Watson was acquitted of all charges in 2015.

EARLIER REPORT

Tonight, the village council will vote on a settlement agreement with one of its police sergeants who filed a complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

Namoi Watson, previously known as Naomi Penrod, filed a complaint with the state civil rights commission on Feb. 10, after Yellow Springs Village Manager Patti Bates imposed disciplinary action against the police sergeant, including a three-day suspension. Two days of the suspension were enforced, and Penrod was also subject to a six-month “performance improvement period.”

The disciplinary action was issued on Dec. 14, 2014, more than a month after village resident Athena Fannin reported Penrod twisted her wrists and took a recording device from her hands outside Fannin's Allen Street home.

As part of the agreement, if approved by the council, the village will dismiss the disciplinary action, provide Watson with back pay and a 3 percent raise retroactive from Dec. 6 and pay Watson’s attorney fees which total $18,500.

In addition to the disciplinary action, Watson was placed on administrative leave with pay while facing assault, disorderly conduct and interfering with civil rights criminal charges in connection with the incident with Fannin.

Watson was acquitted of all charges in 2015.

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