Without an internal investigation into the incident, it is not known whether Neel violated department policy, Carlson said this afternoon, contrary to his earlier statement that the officer’s actions did violate department policy.
Neel resigned on Monday, two days after he drew a firearm on a motorist who drove away from a hit-skip crash.
Carlson issued the following prepared statement this afternoon:
“After the incident on Saturday, Sept 29, 2018, and prior to an internal investigation of the matter being started, Ofc. Neel choose to resign his position as a police officer with the village of Yellow Springs. The decision to resign was made by Ofc. Neel after a preliminary review of the incident. Due to Ofc. Neel’s resignation, an internal investigation cannot be properly completed as Ofc. Neel no longer has a duty to participate in the proceedings.”
EARLIER
A Yellow Springs police officer has resigned from his position. His departure came after an incident over the weekend in which he drew his firearm on a motorist who failed to stop at a hit-skip crash.
Officer Richard Neel resigned from his position Monday after working as a Yellow Springs police officer for about seven months, according to Police Chief Brian Carlson.
TRENDING >>> UD, Premier rename former Montgomery fairgrounds
Several residents attended Monday night’s village council meeting after hearing reports of Neel drawing his firearm on an older resident.
According to Carlson, Neel responded to a reported hit-skip crash around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Dayton and High streets in which the older resident was involved. The driver “didn’t see police lights” and continued driving to his home, where he pulled into the garage, Carlson said.
MORE: Fairborn man accused of trying to lure girls near middle school
Carlson said Neel did not initially know who was in the vehicle and drew his firearm.
“When he saw who the occupant was, he immediately placed it back in his holster,” Carlson said.
Carlson said the officer’s actions “were not within policy” for his department.
STAY CONNECTED: Greene County News on Facebook
No one was hurt in the incident.
About the Author