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Source: Canton Repository
Two Jackson officers suspended for firing blank in office prank
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
By MELISSA GRIFFY Repository staff writer
JACKSON TWP. — What police officers called a joke has landed two with suspensions from duty.
Sgt. Barry Lyons and Patrol Officer Patrick Pileggi were disciplined for collaborating on the prank: Shooting a .357-caliber handgun with blank rounds in it to scare other police employees.
The victim of the prank told officers she was frightened — she thought the gun was real and that Lyons had been shot.
It wasn’t the first time the prank has been played, Pileggi told investigators with the department.
But this is the first time officers have been disciplined.
Lyons is serving eight days suspension for committing an unsafe act and dishonesty. Beginning Saturday, Pileggi will serve three days suspension for committing an unsafe act.
Police Chief Harley Neftzer said the punishment — the third-most serious the department can impose — will set an example for other officers.
“This type of behavior will not be tolerated,†Neftzer said. “We have to hold our people accountable for their actions so that the public trusts we are a professional, reputable department.â€
A temporary clerical employee, Christi Stevens, also was involved, and will be disciplined by her agency, according to Neftzer.
There were actually two incidents within an hour, according to Police Lt. Chris Rudy, the investigating officer.
Rudy said police told him that between 8 and 9 p.m. Dec. 9, Stevens was talking to officers when a gun containing cotton ball wads (blank rounds) was fired at the floor. Rudy was unable to determine who fired the gun or where the gun came from.
A short time later, Rudy said, Stevens, Pileggi and Lyons decided to pull a prank on Shelley Bender, a clerical worker.
According to the investigation:
• Lyons called Bender into his office under the premise of asking her about an accident report.
• He pretended he was selling the gun to Pileggi. Lyons then handed Pileggi the gun.
• Pileggi fired the gun behind Lyons, and both pretended it went off accidentally.
• Lyons fell back in his chair, pretending to be hurt.
Lyons, a supervisor, denied the allegations, but Rudy found Lyons did not honestly answer questions about the incident during the investigation.
Bender said the prank upset her. She thought the gun was real and that Lyons had been shot.
“I agree we all play practical jokes on each other, but not to this extreme,†Bender told Rudy.
Pileggi said the prank is an ongoing one and that Lyons told him to play along. Pileggi called it a bad decision, but told Rudy, “It’s happened several times in the past.â€
Lyons is a former firearms instructor. Neftzer said the weapon used during the prank is a real gun and could be used to fire live ammunition. It has a marking on it, according to Neftzer, that it should be used only for training, however.
Two Jackson officers suspended for firing blank in office prank
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
By MELISSA GRIFFY Repository staff writer
JACKSON TWP. — What police officers called a joke has landed two with suspensions from duty.
Sgt. Barry Lyons and Patrol Officer Patrick Pileggi were disciplined for collaborating on the prank: Shooting a .357-caliber handgun with blank rounds in it to scare other police employees.
The victim of the prank told officers she was frightened — she thought the gun was real and that Lyons had been shot.
It wasn’t the first time the prank has been played, Pileggi told investigators with the department.
But this is the first time officers have been disciplined.
Lyons is serving eight days suspension for committing an unsafe act and dishonesty. Beginning Saturday, Pileggi will serve three days suspension for committing an unsafe act.
Police Chief Harley Neftzer said the punishment — the third-most serious the department can impose — will set an example for other officers.
“This type of behavior will not be tolerated,†Neftzer said. “We have to hold our people accountable for their actions so that the public trusts we are a professional, reputable department.â€
A temporary clerical employee, Christi Stevens, also was involved, and will be disciplined by her agency, according to Neftzer.
There were actually two incidents within an hour, according to Police Lt. Chris Rudy, the investigating officer.
Rudy said police told him that between 8 and 9 p.m. Dec. 9, Stevens was talking to officers when a gun containing cotton ball wads (blank rounds) was fired at the floor. Rudy was unable to determine who fired the gun or where the gun came from.
A short time later, Rudy said, Stevens, Pileggi and Lyons decided to pull a prank on Shelley Bender, a clerical worker.
According to the investigation:
• Lyons called Bender into his office under the premise of asking her about an accident report.
• He pretended he was selling the gun to Pileggi. Lyons then handed Pileggi the gun.
• Pileggi fired the gun behind Lyons, and both pretended it went off accidentally.
• Lyons fell back in his chair, pretending to be hurt.
Lyons, a supervisor, denied the allegations, but Rudy found Lyons did not honestly answer questions about the incident during the investigation.
Bender said the prank upset her. She thought the gun was real and that Lyons had been shot.
“I agree we all play practical jokes on each other, but not to this extreme,†Bender told Rudy.
Pileggi said the prank is an ongoing one and that Lyons told him to play along. Pileggi called it a bad decision, but told Rudy, “It’s happened several times in the past.â€
Lyons is a former firearms instructor. Neftzer said the weapon used during the prank is a real gun and could be used to fire live ammunition. It has a marking on it, according to Neftzer, that it should be used only for training, however.
I think they have it all Wrong...Its to Serve and Protect. Not Serve and Punk.