0? POLICE DEPARTMENT.

CHIEF JAMES Mayor

_,-Watetfal  Drive
,-il<hart. IN 46515
219295-7070
,fFax: 219293-0679 February 12, 1997



To: Of?cer Steve Ambrose #138

From: D. Bechtel, Chief 

Re: Notice of Disciplinary Action (IC 36?8?3?4)

 

On January 9, anDGary lodged a complaint against you alleging your actions
constituted ?Unlawful Arrest? and ?Conduct Unbecoming an O?icer?. After careful review of the investigation, I
?nd suf?cient evidence to support allegations of mi sconduct. 

Without continuation of an existing warrant, probable cause to confront Mr. Parish to make this arrest was
questionable at best. No warrant existed and the arrest may be viewed as unlawful. (Indiana Code 35-33-1-1, GO
505.03, GO 525.03)

In addition to the original complaint, there were no communications concerning your location or intentions to make
the arrest prior to taking action. You were familiar with the character of the subject you were about to confront
and forced of?cer Ryback into a volatile situation without anyone knowing where you were or what you were
doing. It is customary and essential for your own safety to report your location and intentions when exiting the
police vehicle to take enforcement action. (GO 341.00) -

As a veteran officer, you knew or should have known the options available to you prior to and after confronting
Mr. Parish. You used poor judgement by acting on predilection without consideration of law, rules, or
consequences. Similar impulsive behavior has resulted in prior disciplinary action against you and future
misconduct of any other nature may result in tennination of your employment. 

I hereby SUSTAIN the allegations of misconduct and suspend you from duty without pay for a period of ?ve (5)
days. In addition, lam ordering 3 ?Fitness for Duty? examination to be conducted by a at the Institute
for Public Safety Personnel, Inc. Scheduling of this examination will be coordinated through the Director of
Administration. .

Scheduling of suspension dates and the execution thereof must occur before February 28, 1997. I will allow you
the option of exchanging accumulated time, vacation days, or personal days for the suspension days.

As stated in LC. ?if a chief reprimands a member in writing or suspends a member, the chief shall
within forty-eight (48) hours notify the Board in writing of the action and the reason for the action. A member
who is reprimanded in writing or suspended under this section may, within forty-eight (48) hours after receiving
said notice of the reprimand or suspension, request in writing that the Board review the reprimand or suspension
and either uphold or reverse the chief?s decision.?

SUSTAINEI) allegations of misconduct
SUSPENDED from duty without pay for a period of FIVE (5) DAYS
Fitness for duty examination

g; 
Employee Noti?cation: (25% . Date: <72 

cc: Board of Public Safety
IAD ?le
P/?le

City Access No. 522-2377