
| January 20, 2001 | Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk
(614) 292-3040
|
Ohio State dismisses police captain
COLUMBUS -- Ohio State University officials Friday dismissed a campus police captain for violating a number of university and Campus Police Department rules. The officer had been on administrative leave since Dec. 28.
Captain David Stelzer, a 22-year member of the university police force, was dismissed for conduct unbecoming a law enforcement officer, undermining the university community’s confidence in him; using university resources in furthering a personal business and failing to disclose the use of those resources when questioned; failing to disclose secondary employment; and failing to disclose his relationship with a university vendor from whom he authorized university purchases
“After a careful assessment, we concluded that Captain Stelzer has compromised his ability to serve effectively in his leadership position,” said Vernon L. Baisden, assistant vice president for public safety. “In our judgment, we are obligated to serve the student community in our care by holding our police officers to the highest standards and we must have total confidence in their ability to lead.”
In late December, university officials discovered that Stelzer was operating a pornographic web site from a West Side office building. Officials immediately asked Stelzer to remove the site from the web, which he did. Stelzer then was placed on administrative leave to allow the university to further investigate the situation.
Stelzer is one of three captains on the Ohio State police force. No immediate plans for his replacement were available.
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