By Valryn Warren
Dayton Daily News (Ohio)
RIVERSIDE, Ohio — A final settlement with a fired police sergeant who has since returned to work was approved by City Council on Thursday, June 19.
Stephen V. Hargraves became the subject of an internal investigation after responding to a priority call in June 2006 that a hit-and-run victim might be threatening a tvow truck driver trying to move the wrecked car.
The man was handcuffed and put in a cruiser for three to five minutes when he wouldn’t be quiet or go into his house as ordered so Hargraves could talk to the tow truck driver.
Hargraves was fired, and in January 2007, Riverside police Lt. Sean Asbury, who has since left the city, filed charges against him in Montgomery County Area 2 Court for interfering with civil rights, dereliction of duty, coercion and unlawful restraint. A jury cleared Hargraves on all counts April 9. He later sued the city in U.S. District Court for malicious prosecution.
Hargraves returned in May, pending this week’s settlement awarding $212,000 for back pay, benefits, attorney fees and other costs or damages.
His employment has been retroactively reinstated to Aug. 23, 2006, and internal investigation and disciplinary records amended to reflect discipline only for a rules violation of not having the camera in his cruiser on during the incident.
“Both Mr. Hargraves and the City of Riverside look to move beyond this issue and continue to effectively and efficiently serve the citizens of Riverside,” a prepared public statement for all the parties said.
City Manager Bryan Chodkowski said the city will pay $152,700 and its insurance carrier the remainder.
Copyright 2008 Dayton Daily News (Ohio)