A Columbus police officer will be suspended for three days without pay for misconduct, city officials confirmed to The Dispatch on Tuesday.
The city council voted 3-3 on the suspension during executive session of Tuesday’s regular meeting, and Mayor Robert Smith broke the tie in favor of the disciplinary action, City Attorney Jeff Turnage told The Dispatch.
The suspended officer is Corporal Tabertha Hardin, according to a source present for the closed session vote.
Hardin used inappropriate language on a house visit when she was attacked by the dog, the source said. She threatened to kill the dog, but did not do so.
The dog bruised Hardin badly enough during the attack that she had to go to the hospital, the source said.
Police Chief Fred Shelton refused to confirm the identity of the officer when reached this morning.
Hardin, formerly a member of the investigation division, was recommended for suspension in 2018 for insubordination, but the council voted against it, The Dispatch reported.
Conflict disclosure: Managing Editor Zack Plair took part in editing this article. He is currently involved in legal proceedings with the city of Columbus.
Yue Stella Yu was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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