The Associated Press
ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) - The city of Aberdeen upheld the firing of two of its police officers Tuesday.
City Attorney Mark Anderson would not say why Detective Sgt. Steve Pionk and School Resource Officer Brent Koens were let go. The announcement was made Tuesday after an appeals hearing for Pionk.
Pionk, a 14-year police veteran, was placed on paid suspension Aug. 24 following negative comments he made at an earlier public meeting. The remarks related to a consultant’s report on the strengths and weaknesses of the Aberdeen Police Department.
Pionk received a letter saying he was being terminated last Tuesday.
Koens, an officer for about three years, received a similar letter on Sept. 21 after being put on paid suspension Sept. 2. City officials won’t say why he was suspended.
“I will not comment on any of the reasons that support the termination,” said Anderson, noting that the published reasons do not present the entire picture. “There are still due process possibilities for those individuals.”
Police union lawyer Harvey Oliver met with Anderson, Police Chief Don Lanpher Jr., Safety Commissioner Bill McQuillen and Human Resource Director Al Ruhlman at City Hall on Tuesday.
Oliver said the decision was expected.
“It was clear based on my conversations with Mr. Anderson before the hearing that the decision was already made,” he said. “That atmosphere in that room was clearly a situation of them already knowing what they were going to do.”
Lanpher, McQuillen and Ruhlman declined comment.
Pionk said he will continue to fight the firing.
“I appreciate all the support from the officers at the police department and calls from the citizens of Aberdeen,” he said. “I’m disappointed in the decision to go forward and terminate me.”
Koens declined comment on his dismissal.