Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John was placed on paid administrative leave Monday pending a formal performance review by the City Council at its July 19 meeting.
Mayor Robert Smith told the council during a special closed meeting Monday afternoon of his decision to send St. John, who did not attend the meeting, home earlier that day. His salary is $72,100.
Smith and other city officials declined to comment on the reason for the suspension.
Under condition of anonymity, some city officials said St. John tested positive for alcohol after he missed a Civil Service Commission hearing June 17.
If those officials are correct, this wouldn”t be the first time St. John has been in trouble for his off-duty drinking habits.
St. John, who became chief of the Columbus Police Department in August 2007, took an unplanned personal leave of absence in December 2008, reportedly to deal with an alcohol problem.
When asked about the test Monday evening, Smith said the city has a “zero tolerance” policy about alcohol use, but would not confirm whether St. John had been tested.
Smith also declined to comment about whether St. John”s job was on the line and what, if any, disciplinary measures would be taken.
“I don”t know what the City Council will do,” he said.
When asked about the special meeting Monday, Ward 5 City Councilman Kabir Karriem said, “We”re facing a hell of a crime problem in Columbus, and it”s gotten out of hand.”
According to an annual FBI survey, Columbus crime — especially assaults and crimes against property — was up in 2010 from 2006, although a number of factors could contribute to the increase.
“We”ve got some heavy problems,” Karriem said.
St. John, who is an at-will employee of the city, declined to comment about his being placed on leave, whether he tested positive for alcohol, or Karriem”s criticism.
City Attorney Jeff Turnage called St. John when he failed to show up at a Civil Service Commission hearing June 17, when he was scheduled to testify in the suspension appeals case of two officers.
Now-retired Lt. John Pevey and officer Richard “Rick” Higgins were suspended without pay for 20 workdays in February, when Higgins drove a squad car into a pool of water during a storm early New Year”s Day. Pevey was accused of not properly reporting and documenting the incident.
St. John claimed then that he was sick, and has since declined to reveal the nature of his ailment.
The commission decided to hear the other witnesses and view St. John”s video testimony at a later date. His deposition tentatively is scheduled for July 14.
Councilmen also discussed a Columbus Fire and Rescue personnel issue and potential litigation involving bad debt, during closed session Monday.
A small group of St. John”s supporters, who had heard his job was in jeopardy through emails and telephone calls, showed up at the Columbus Municipal Complex for the meeting, Monday.
Dispatch News Editor Garthia Elena Burnett contributed to this story.
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