By Bill McCleery, Indianapolis Star
GREENFIELD, Ind. -- Turmoil on the Greenfield Police Department has created a buzz among local residents -- as much for what they don’t know as for what they do.
Three Greenfield police officers were suspended this week -- J.D. Fortner, Mike McCorkle and Ryan Robertson -- and nobody is saying why.
And a domestic disturbance involving a Hancock County sheriff’s deputy has added to community concerns about those entrusted with enforcing laws and protecting the public.
Fortner, who also serves on the City Council, was demoted from a sergeant to a corporal. He and Robertson were suspended for 10 days without pay. McCorkle was suspended for five days. The only reason given by Greenfield Police Chief Clarke Mercer for the suspensions is “conduct unbecoming an officer.” Beyond that, he described it only as off-duty, noncriminal and without victims.
But neither Mercer nor other officials will elaborate on the officers’ behavior.
That has local citizens wondering -- and rumors swirling. For some, it has diminished their respect for local police.
“How can (police) go and arrest somebody when they have these turkeys out there getting suspended?” asked Adrian Mardis, 28, as he left Jim Dandy Family Restaurant on Friday. “They’re a bunch of hypocrites.”
Mercer has opened personnel files to local media, but they contain no specific information about the events leading to the suspensions, he said.
And though the Greenfield Board of Works must approve any demotion or suspension longer than five days, Mercer said the officers waived their right to a public hearing and the board approved the penalties without any discussion of preceding events.
Mercer defended his decision to keep some matters private.
“My concern is that details are only going to create victims,” he said. “This is probably one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. . . . I have a responsibility to the Police Department and the community, and in fairness I have a responsibility to the officers -- that (the punishment) isn’t vindictive as opposed to being fair.”
But the secrecy has become a public concern this week.
“Really, they’ve got it closed up and you don’t know what they did,” said resident Jack Wesley, 57. “They’re public servants. And being public servants, it should be a matter of public record.”
Compounding problems for local law enforcement was another, unrelated incident Wednesday involving a Hancock County sheriff’s deputy. Officers responded to a 911 call from the home of Deputy Troy Cross after a domestic disturbance involving Cross and his wife, Kim Cross.
No charges have been filed, but sheriff’s detectives are compiling a report for prosecutors. Shelby County Prosecutor Kent Apsley has agreed to handle the case after Hancock County Prosecutor Larry Gossett asked to be recused.
The Crosses filed for divorce Thursday, and each obtained a restraining order against the other, Sheriff Nick Gulling said.
“We have two different stories (from the deputy and his wife) that are about 180 degrees from each other,” he said.
The Crosses’ 6-year-old son made the 911 call in compliance with his mother’s request, Gulling added.
Cross has a good record as a deputy since he joined the department in 1999, Gulling said. Previous to 1999, Cross was a Greenfield police officer.
Anyone convicted even of misdemeanor domestic battery cannot carry a firearm, said Gulling. “But that’s thinking way ahead,” he said. “He hasn’t even been charged with anything.”
He said Cross’ job is “in limbo” pending the investigation.
The latest incidents continue a spate of suspensions involving Hancock County law enforcement officers. Last year, three Fortville police officers were suspended within a six-week span for various reasons. One awaits trial in a sexual battery case. Also in 2003, two Cumberland police officers were suspended after an altercation with a shoplifting suspect. Earlier this year, officials demoted former Cumberland Chief Ron Cole.