Sandusky's 1st female police chief dismissed

Former Chief of Police, Kim Nuesse, City of Sandusky. Nuesse hired in August of 2006 was released on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 six weeks after the release of an independent investigation of her professional conduct.

Handout City of Sandusky not B

Former Chief of Police, Kim Nuesse, City of Sandusky. Nuesse hired in August of 2006 was released on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 six weeks after the release of an independent investigation of her professional conduct.

SANDUSKY - Sandusky's first female police chief, Kim Nuesse, was fired yesterday, six weeks after the release of an independent investigation of her professional conduct.

A 560-page investigation of the chief's performance, based on interviews with her subordinates and law enforcement colleagues in other departments, was turned over to the city May 8 by the Cleveland-area law firm Murman and Associates.

Since being hired in August, 2006, Ms. Nuesse has applied for state grants for the department using incorrect information and has inappropriately recommended the replacement of the police department's computer system, which would have cost more than $300,000, the report said.

City Manager Matthew Kline told the former chief yesterday in his dismissal letter that she did not display "absolute honesty" and her mistakes "could have cost the city tens of thousands of dollars."

Interim Chief of Police, Charlie Sams, City of Sandusky.

In addition, she allowed the reversal of a parking ticket she received on duty while driving an unmarked police vehicle one month after being hired, the report said.

"The parking ticket is so minor, it's a minor thing," Mr. Kline said, adding that he based his decision to fire the chief on information in the report.

"It really boils down to the honesty issue," he said.

The former chief refused to be interviewed for the investigation, attorney Michael E. Murman said in the report's summary.

She intends to appeal her dismissal to the city's civil service commission and challenge the validity of the Murman report, her attorney, K. Ronald Bailey, said.

"The fight is just starting," Mr. Bailey said. "There were other people they need to interview, other documents they need to get, and other documents they need to get to me."

The city has failed to provide the former chief with copies of documents and financial statements related to her actions detailed in the Murman report, Mr. Bailey said.

The former chief was paid $73,840 a year, and has been on paid leave since March.

Assistant Chief Charlie Sams was appointed interim chief yesterday, Mr. Kline said.