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In 2008, Kim Robinson was suspended for one day after an internal investigation found she was negligent in her duties as the property room officer.
Robinson’s responsibilities included logging and keeping track of evidence — such as money, drugs and guns — and disposing of it properly. The investigation by the Middletown Division of Police found dozens of mistakes attributed to Robinson.
Robinson and the Fraternal Order of Police Local No. 36 argued she was not fairly punished because disciplinary action was taken some seven months after she changed jobs. An arbitrator agreed, so the city took the case to Butler County Common Pleas Court.
On Friday came a brief hearing attended by Robinson and Middletown police Chief Greg Schwarber as well as Assistant Middletown Law Director Sara Mills. Attorney Kimberly Rutowski represented the FOP.
Mills said the arbitrator ignored state law and the city’s FOP contract when he ruled against how the officer was disciplined last year. “The findings are without rational support,” she said.
“He stepped outside his bounds,” when he “obliterated” discipline despite three policy violations, Mills said, asking Judge Andrew Nastoff to set aside the arbitration.
Rutowski argued the arbitrator acted within bounds, noting that Robinson worked in the property room for seven years and received good evaluations.
The arbitrator determined performance-related issues should be dealt with in evaluations and the discipline Robinson received was not given for just cause, Rutowski said.
Nastoff said he would issue a written ruling, but he did not say when he would render his decision.
I wonder how much this 1 day is costing the city in Attorney fees, court costs and man hours.
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