Former part-time Village of Creston police officer Eli Ankenman said he was terminated shortly after completing probation, allegedly for being “too nice” during traffic stops and for maintaining professional but friendly interactions with drivers.
Ankenman worked mostly on Sundays.
“I’m a very community-oriented police officer,” Ankenman said. “They said I was joking too much during stops. I was just trying to de-escalate and keep people calm.”
His comments came during a May 5 Creston City Council meeting where residents complained about safety and the village’s police chief announced his retirement. Creston, a community of about 2,100 people, is north of Wooster in Wayne County.
Ankenman, who also works in West Salem, said he was dismissed without disciplinary action, and he said he believes his termination was politically motivated.
He said after taking a day off to attend the funeral of a fallen firefighter, he was told the absence was held against him.
Ankerman’s attorney, Daniel Bache, asked council why proper disciplinary procedures were not followed in regard to Anderman.
“Why wouldn’t the step-up discipline policy be followed if it’s outlined in the handbook?” Bache said. “Eli received no written notice or prior issues.”
Police Chief Bryon Meshew, in a letter submitted to Mayor Brenda Norris, cited “a repulsive side of some people in this community” and concerns over judgment about his disability as the reasons for the resignation.
Meshew was struck by two motorcycles at Mid-Ohio Raceway in Lexington in August. Initially, he had to rely on machines to breath on his own and could not speak. After weeks of rehabilitation, he was able to return home.
“Since my accident in August, I have seen firsthand how this community can come together. Unfortunately, I have also seen a repulsive side of some people in this same community,” he said in the letter. “Their negativity and judgment of someone with a disability has made me realize I will not subject my family, nor myself, to this any longer.”
Meshew’s last day was May 9.
In the letter, Meshew thanked council members and fellow officers for their support.
Councilman Jason Balyer said he was sad to see Meshew leave the department.
“Just from a council perspective, I want to thank the chief for his service,” Balyer said. “I’m very, very disappointed that he made the decision to resign.”
Creston residents concerned about protection
Meshew has been largely absent from public discussions about the department’s future due to his injuries.
“Creston is not safe,” village resident Andrea Riley told council at a meeting May 5. “We need a fully staffed police department.”
Brad Keltz, also a Creston resident, criticized how the May 5 council meeting was conducted.
“As soon as we started speaking, they just wanted to rush out of things,” Keltz said. “They didn’t even answer people’s questions at the end of that. They were supposed to.”
Keltz, who said he has attended several meetings, raised concerns about a decision to allow Meshew to return to his job in any capacity.
“Why did we ever bring Chief Meshew back?” he asked at the meering. “Why is he even at the police station?”
Council member Aaron Howell said Meshew’s return always had been expected.
“Since Chief Meshew was on medical leave since his accident in August, it was always intended that he was going to return to his role as police chief when he was willing and able,” Howell said in a statement.
Riley described an incident when her husband called police to report suspicious individuals near their garage around midnight.
The family was told no officer was on duty and the on-call officer was 40 minutes away, she told council on Monday, May 5.
“Had this been an emergency, that would’ve been disastrous,” Riley said. “People can go by the Police Department and see no one is there. When people know that, they know what they can get away with.”
Former interim chief addresses staffing limitations
Interim Chief Jeff Kinney, appointed after Meshew’s August accident, resigned a few weeks ago.
“Was my resignation a personal choice, or were there external pressures? I would say both are relevant,” Kinney said.
He noted council members were generally supportive but, as he addressed personnel problems, “the department was severely short-staffed.”
In an interview, Kinney said council had been supportive, but he faced immediate personnel crises and recruitment challenges under tight budget constraints.
“I was forced to address two officer-related issues, and the department was severely short-staffed,” he said.
Kinney said recruiting was hampered by pay rates and the department’s reputation.
“Council could only do so much with budgetary limitations,” he said. “I looked for outside funding streams, grants for equipment, new officer salaries, to assist the department.”
Mayor says safety remains a top priority
Norris made a statement during the May 5 meeting.
“Public safety continues to be a top priority in our community,” she said. “While our police department has faced several unexpected changes, we are dedicated to having trustworthy and professional officers working in the Village of Creston.”
Norris said the department employs eight officers, some full time and some part-time, with one stationed at the department at a time.
In response Ankenman’s termination, Norris said the village is prioritizing investment in full-time police staffing and Ankeman worked one shift a week.
“We are focused on full-time officers,” Norris said.
“We would love to have more officers here,” Bayler said at the meeting. “That is our utmost concern, but we also want the right officers here.”
Councilman Randy Minor said the village is working to cancel its policing contract with Burbank.
“The main reason is that our police officers need to be in Creston versus being in Burbank,” he said. “We all want our children and families to be safe.”
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Former Creston police officer claims he was fired for being too nice during traffic stops
Reporting by Miranda McGrath, Wooster Daily Record / The Daily Record
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