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Board Terminates Officer's Employment

Last updated on Thursday, April 29, 2010

(MITCHELL, IN) - A decision has been made on whether or not Mitchell Police Officer Steve Blair will keep his job. (Story includes audio)

The Mitchell Board of Public Works and Safety met during an executive session early Wednesday morning to review the reasoning behind Mitchell Mayor Dan Terrell's suspension of Mitchell Police Officer Steve Blair.

During a public meeting last Wednesday at Mitchell City Hall, both Mayor Terrell and Blair met with the Board of Works and Safety to testify their side of the story. Blair's lawyers were present at meeting.

Blair and his attorney chose not to participate in the meeting and then left the building.

Mayor Terrell then explained that he had chosen to suspend Blair after discovering that Blair had secretly recorded a confidential conversation between Blair, the mayor and Rita Hackler; the former chief of police dispatchers.

Terrell noted that Blair then gave the recording to an unnamed former Mitchell city employee who filed a lawsuit against the town and used the recording in the suit.

The Mitchell Board of Works and Safety then scheduled an executive meeting for this Wednesday so that they could review the findings of the situation.

Following the executive session, Board Members Steve Burton and Mike Eager then convened in a public meeting to announce their findings.

During the session, Burton made a motion that Blair's employment with the city be terminated. Eager then seconded the motion.

As of today, Steve Blair is no longer employed with the city of Mitchell. Blair was not present at today's public meeting.

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