“Effective immediately, I am suspending our privilege to act in the capacity as a law enforcement officer,” Hale wrote in a letter addressed to Nipper. “You are immediately prohibited from representing yourself as a law enforcement officer of Yellow Springs and are required to surrender your weapon, identification, credentials and keys.”
Mark Moretti, spokesman for Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, confirmed the state criminal investigation unit has been asked to investigate allegations against a Yellow Springs police officer.
“The investigation is ongoing and so we cannot comment further,” Moretti said.
Hale declined to comment while the investigation is pending.
Ten minutes after Nipper left the village police department following his suspension, his wife Jane confronted the police chief in the parking lot about the disciplinary action taken against her husband, according to court documents.
“As I was approaching Chief Hale’s vehicle, I heard him explaining to Jane that the matter was under investigation and that no other information could be given,” wrote Sgt. Knapp in charging documents. “Jane was using an elevated tone in her voice and was arguing with Chief Hale.”
According to the police report, Hale told Nipper’s wife she should go home.
Jane Nipper replied with an expletive, Knapp wrote.
Nipper’s wife was told to leave several times but refused and yelled obscenities before she was charged, according to police.
Jane Nipper entered a not guilty plea to the charge on Wednesday during an arraignment hearing.
Xenia Municipal Court Judge Michael Murry allowed Nipper to stay out of jail on her own recognizance on the condition that she not go within 50 feet of the Yellow Springs Government Center and have no contact with anyone there.
“If I get any credible evidence that you violate or attempt to violate that no contact order, that could lead to a change in your bond status,” Murry said.
December marks the Nipper’s most recent suspension. The village police chief took disciplinary action against Nipper in 1982 and suspended him for three days without pay after he failed to follow verbal orders, according to village documents. Nipper parked his patrol vehicle on a residential street while he was on duty, but without authorization or a “legitimate reason for being there.”
Last year, Nipper received an oral warning after violating an order issued by a superior officer, according to village documents. Nipper responded to a fire, but then ordered a new officer to respond to the scene after being told the new officer was not permitted to work solo or be in a patrol cruiser alone.
“… this was an emergency situation and since (Officer) Beam is a sworn Law Enforcement Officer, a village employee , and was on duty at the time I thought it would be necessary to have him respond to the scene to assist,” Nipper wrote in a letter to the police chief.
Nipper was hired as a full-time village officer in 1972 and worked for the police department for 38 years before he retired in 2010, according to the village. He returned to the police department a year later and works “as needed” meaning he isn’t guaranteed a certain amount of hours each week and he has the option to decline shifts.
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