NOW demands Toledo police officer's firing
9/1/2009The Toledo chapter of the National Organization for Women has demanded the city fire a police sergeant being investigated for allegedly making inappropriate comments to a woman who reported a home invasion.
A complaint was filed last week against Sgt. Daniel Brandon, who was disciplined previously for threatening a convenience-store clerk with arrest if she did not have sex with him.
NOW leaders plan to hold a candlelight vigil at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday in front of the department's Scott Park substation. The group plans to protest monthly until Sergeant Brandon is off the force.
"We don't think it's safe to have him walking around in a position of authority with a loaded gun," said Anita Rios, the group's president. "We are committed to pushing this until he is not a police officer anymore. We think he is dangerous and that is the bottom line."
Chief Mike Navarre said the sergeant is accused of making comments to a South Toledo family who reported a home invasion but declined to offer specific details.
Sergeant Brandon, who could not be reached for comment, remains on the job pending the investigation.
He was fired Sept. 30, 2008, after he was found guilty of conduct unbecoming of an officer, abuse of authority in dealing with the public, and conduct subversive to the good order and discipline of the department.
An employee of the 7-Eleven store at 1321 Navarre Ave. said he made sexual comments to her, suggested use of an illegal sub-stance, and used vulgar language. The incidents occurred March 20, 2008, and April 6, 2008.
An arbitrator heard the sergeant's case June 13 and ordered he be returned to duty without back pay.
"I met with this group July 22 after he was reinstated by the arbitrator," Chief Navarre said. "The fact of the matter is the arbitrator thought the penalty was too harsh and reinstated him and that was before the most recent incident."
Sergeant Brandon was one of several officers who responded to a report of a home invasion Wednesday in the 900 block of Walbridge Avenue.
Police arrested Jacinto Reid, 18, who was arraigned yesterday in Toledo Municipal Court for allegedly holding a family at gunpoint.
Police said Mr. Reid and another man broke into a home of Brittany and Dominic Abraham and the two held the family at gunpoint. They alledgedly ransacked the house and stole the family's car.
Police said one man held the family, including a toddler, at gunpoint, while the other loaded items into the family car.
After the ordeal, the Abrahams filed a complaint against Sergeant Brandon, claiming he treated them with disrespect.
Contact Ignazio Messina at:
imessina@theblade.com
or 419-724-6171.