The City of Geneva Police Department posted a frequently asked questions sheet to their Facebook page, including the names of the two additional officers placed on administrative leave amid an ongoing investigation by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO).
Sergeant David Felice and Officer Nathan Jacon are the two officers who have been placed on administrative leave, according to the Geneva Police Department.
Background on investigation
The broader investigation began in April after OCSO received a tip that a Geneva officer may have sold a controlled substance while on duty, in uniform, and driving a marked patrol vehicle.
On May 7, Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione announced the arrest of Michael Tapscott, 41, of Geneva, who was charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance and one count of official misconduct. Authorities allege he sold one pill of dextroamphetamine – a prescription stimulant commonly known as Adderall and classified as a Schedule II controlled substance – to a man at Geneva Foreign and Sports Inc.
Tapscott resigned from the department on May 6, one day before charges were filed. He was arraigned on May 7 in Ontario County’s CAP Court and released on his own recognizance pending further court proceedings.
According to the FAQ sheet posted on the City of Geneva Police Department’s Facebook page on May 10, no other officers have resigned.
More officers placed on leave. What does this mean?
On May 9, Police Chief Ron Eveland released a statement announcing the two additional officers being placed on leave. Eveland said that the Geneva Police Department is cooperating with OCSO’s criminal investigation and has also launched its own internal administrative review of the matter.
A question on the FAQ sheet released by Eveland on May 10 asks what administrative leave is. In response, Eveland wrote:
“Administrative leave refers to a temporary leave of absence from duty, often used when an officer is under investigation or involved in a serious incident. The purpose of administrative leave is it allows time for an internal or external investigation to be conducted without interference or conflict of interest.”
Though the recent Facebook post by the Geneva Police Department names the two officers placed on administrative leave, it’s still not clear at this time what, if any, involvement they have in the ongoing investigation by OCSO.
Community members with questions or concerns can also contact Chief Eveland directly at Reveland@cityofgenevany.gov or (315) 828-6782.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Geneva PD names officers placed on leave amid investigation
Reporting by Madison Scott, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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