Heisler, who retired earlier this year but was named interim chief after Couch’s firing, said that Couch should not have been wearing the badge and uniform because he was not a certified police officer in Ohio. Couch surrendered his peace officer certification on Feb. 28 after the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations began a probe into allegations that he illegally used the state’s law enforcement agencies data system, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
“When he worked for me before, he was a good officer,” Heisler said. “I don’t understand why he would do what he done.”
Mayor Richard Verga said he was “surprised (Couch) showed up in a uniform” at the October meeting. He said he expected him to wear anything but that and doesn’t understand why he did it.
“He knows better,” the mayor said. “He should not have tried to portray himself as a legitimate police officer because he was on a diversion program, and one of the conditions requires him to surrender his paperwork as a police officer.”
Despite the fact that Couch lacked the certification, Harveysburg Village Council voted 3-2 on Aug. 25 to appoint him chief. Village officials maintain that Couch was working solely in an administrative role and that he was not authorized to carry a gun or patrol the community.
Couch could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but his attorney Lucas Wilder said he plans to file a written plea of not guilty on Couch’s behalf. Wilder said he is still investigating the charge and plans to talk to witnesses who were at the October meeting.
“I look forward to fighting it,” Wilder said. “I’m confident after a jury hears everything they will vindicate him.”
Couch is scheduled to be arraigned at 1 p.m. today in Warren County Court.
“The citizens have been really worried about the hiring of a police chief that wasn’t qualified,” said resident Monte Stinson, who was one of at least 40 people that attended the Oct. 14 meeting. “The council is taking up the issue and addressing what the citizens have been concerned about for the last few months.”
Couch came under scrutiny less than a month after he was appointed chief with the BCI investigation. Village Council voted Sept. 17 to suspend him with pay for 15 days.
Verga said village officials were mainly concerned about liability issues.
“Suppose there was a situation in which an actual police officer was required, and suppose it went south. Guess who’s on the hook? The village would be on the hook,” Verga said.
Heisler said additional charges, including theft, could be filed against Couch.
“He’s got (police) patches that don’t belong to him; they belong to the village of Harveysburg,” Heisler said. “He’s not surrendered those. I may be seeking other charges if he doesn’t turn in equipment.”
Some in the village are saddened by the turn of events. Village Clerk of Courts Carol Nelson called Couch “a good guy.”
“I’m sorry it happened,” she said.
Verga added: “We’re not friends, but I’ve known him a long time. I’ve never had any adverse interactions.”
The mayor said village officials will begin advertising today in the local newspaper for a new police chief.
Staff Writer Drew Simon contributed to this report
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