By Denise Richardson
Staff Writer
ONEONTA _ Mayor Dick Miller told aldermen Tuesday about a hearing date for a former police sergeant, then reiterated his position that no further investigation is needed into allegations of misconduct by some officers last year.
At Tuesday night's Common Council meeting in City Hall, Miller opened the floor for response, but aldermen made no comments.
Miller said a hearing under general municipal law has been set for April 9 to consider a claim by former Sgt. Andrew Thomas who said he was wrongfully discharged last year. Thomas requested reinstatement after resigning last year, but the Common Council chose not to act, said Miller, adding there would be no further comment because the subject is a matter of litigation.
Thomas's resignation came in the wake of allegations and resignations by two police officers and another sergeant, Miller said in a two-page memo distributed Tuesday.
``I view a further investigation as demoralizing and disruptive, and accordingly, counterproductive,'' Miller said in the memo. ``The police department has been embarrassed, is understaffed and has taken the steps necessary to preclude future behavior of the sort that was out of bounds.''
Also Tuesday night, seven police officers were recognized by the mayor and council for their work in two recent incidents. In one incident, officers saved a man's life, and in another, officers filed drug charges after finding heroin.
About 15 people at the meeting joined the council in standing ovations, and Fourth Ward Alderman Michael Lynch told the officers their work often isn't visible or recognized.
``We're grateful,'' Lynch said. ``All of it is making our community safer.''
