By Bethany Bruner
Dayton Daily News
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A Clark County deputy accused of drinking while armed with his service weapon has been reprimanded and received counseling numerous times.
Deputy Christopher Dent’s personnel record, obtained by the Dayton Daily News, also shows instances of sick day abuse, unexcused absences, unsatisfactory performance of duty and an investigation into alleged drug activity.
Sheriff Gene Kelly said an internal investigation is ongoing and that he hasn’t disciplined Dent because he deserves due process.
But his recent actions have been an embarrassment for the department, Kelly said. “His conduct is certainly not conduct that is fitting of a Clark County sheriff’s deputy or a law enforcement officer.”
Dent pleaded not guilty to a charge of having a weapon while intoxicated, a first-degree misdemeanor. He was arrested over the weekend at a gas station after officers said he was intoxicated and armed with his loaded service weapon.
Dent appeared in Clark County Municipal Court on Monday and admitted to drinking that morning.
Judge Denise Moody said then the court was concerned for Dent’s welfare and the public’s safety.
Dent, who remained in jail Tuesday, declined an interview request. He will be in the Clark County Municipal Court again at 9:30 a.m. today.
Dent joined the sheriff’s office in 2005. He was investigated for illegal drug activity less than six months after joining the force, including accusations of selling drugs out of his car. Dent denied the charges, he passed a drug test and his records don’t indicate that any further actions were taken.
His performance reviews include positive comments and noted that he frequently met expectations.
Reviews said Dent was willing to help other officers, avoided unnecessary risks, and was well-mannered and courteous. Dent has two commendations for meritorious service.
In January, Dent’s personnel file indicates that he approached a security officer at the Upper Valley Mall and identified himself as a deputy. The security officer said Dent appeared intoxicated and a sergeant from the Sheriff’s Office said in a written report that Dent was having difficulty with his balance.
Dent’s file doesn’t indicate that any disciplinary action was taken after the January incident. Kelly said the incident was handled below his level.
Dent’s record also includes five instances of counseling in 2008 and 2009 for unsatisfactory performance, including for leaving his keys on a TV stand in the jail and improper conduct toward an inmate.
Dent also had an oral reprimand for sick time abuse in 2009, and the records show he had several issues with sick time abuse from then through this June.
Other reports in Dent’s file include oral and written reprimands stemming from a shoving match between Dent and another deputy in the jail in 2006. The other deputy was also reprimanded, according to Dent’s file.
Before being hired by the sheriff’s office, Dent was convicted of disorderly conduct in 2002. Dent disclosed the conviction on his application, as well as the fact that he had tried marijuana.
Kelly said the department does thorough background checks of applicants.
Copyright 2012 Dayton Newspapers, Inc.