Clark County 911 coordinator placed on administrative leave

The 911 coordinator for Clark County has been placed on administrative leave, according to documents obtained by the Springfield News-Sun.

Michael Combs was placed on administrative leave on Wednesday, Nov. 6, according to the documents. Clark County Sheriff’s Office officials would not say why Combs was placed on leave. It is also unclear how long he will be on leave and whether he is still being paid.

“Mr. Combs is not allowed to be on the ground of the Sheriff’s Office unless escorted by a Sheriff’s supervisor,” an email sent on Nov. 6 from Chief Deputy Jeffrey Meyer to sheriff’s office staff said.

The Springfield News-Sun requested additional documents from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office as to why Combs was placed on leave but was told no additional documents are available.

Clark County Sheriff’s Office gets new tool to find missing people

“We do not have any other records/emails pertaining to Mr. Combs,” Meyer told the Springfield News-Sun.

Meyer said it is office policy to not discuss personnel issues.

A document in Combs personnel file dated Nov. 6 and signed by Meyer states that Combs is not to be on sheriff’s office premises until he is asked to return, not to have contact with any county vendors and not to use county-owned property including vehicles and/or computer systems and networks.

The document goes on to say that Combs is also not to contact any employees of the sheriff’s office other than Maj. Chris Clark, who is assuming Combs duties while he is on leave.

“I would ask that you respect Mr. Combs’s privacy and not ask him or anyone else why he has been placed on leave,” Meyer wrote in the email to staff.

Combs’s has never been the subject of a serious investigation, according to the documents obtained.

Combs’s only punishment in his file is “pre-disciplinary counseling” — the lowest form of punishment the sheriff’s office can issue — came in May of 2013 when Combs’s admitted to using a sheriff’s office trailer to move items while moving homes without asking permission, according to a personnel report.

Springfield man accused of driving high with 2 kids in SUV

According to his personnel file, Combs has been with the Sheriff’s office since June 2000.

His last performance evaluation was held in October of 2010, according to documents given to the Springfield News-Sun. In the evaluation, Combs received an “exceeds,” or “meets,” for all of his performance standards.

“Mike Combs, in my experience, has an obvious dedication to his job and to getting the best out of the resources available whether it be in equipment or personnel,” Lt. John Reedy wrote at the evaluation.

Combs is still listed as the 911 Coordinator for the county on Clark County’s website as of Friday.

About the Author