ONTARIO — Ontario police officer Elijah S. Finley has been terminated from the Ontario Police Department, a decision the 30-year-old officer said was made “without just cause.”
Finley, who served as the Ontario Local Schools resource office, is appealing the termination through the department’s arbitration process.
According to a termination letter, given to Finley on March 6, the officer met with police Chief Tommy Hill and Capt. Robert Greifenstine to address 12 disciplinary violations/charges, including:
- 1. Violation of Code of Ethics Article 1.2 Unbecoming Conduct
- 2. Violation of Code of Ethics Article 1.3 Incompetence
- 3. Violation of Code of Ethics Article 1.25 Conformance to Laws
- 4. Violation of Code of Ethics Article 1.46 Operation of Vehicles
- 5. Violation of Code of Ethics Article 1.56 Violation of Rules
- 6. Violation of Code of Ethics Article 1.63 Failure of Good Behavior
- 7. Violation of Directive 18-5 Electronic Devices and Phone Calls
- 8. Violation of General Order 41.2.1 Routine, Emergency Responses
- 9. Violation of General Order 41.3.7 Mobile Data Terminals
- 10. Violation of General Order 41.3.8 Mobile In-Car Camera Operation
- 11. Violation of Directive 14-16 Honesty Policy
- 12. Violation of Article 1.5 Insubordination.
Hill declined comment on the alleged violations, citing the department’s arbitration process. A date has not been set for the arbitration.
According to Finley’s personnel file, the police department received three letters of appreciation on his behalf from school district Supt. Lisa Carmichael, all in January 2019.
“Student Resource Officer Elijah Finley participated in his first student expulsion hearing with me this morning. Not only did he conduct himself extremely professionally, he took the liberty to share some personal information regarding being a black man…” Carmichael wrote in an email to the police chief. “I sincerely could not be more pleased with his performance to date.”
Finley began work as the school resource officer in January 2019, according to his personnel file.
On March 2, Finley was notified he had been placed on paid administrative leave.
According to a hand-written statement, Finley said he was terminated without just cause.
“…I was terminated from my employment with Ontario Police Department without just cause and was excessive under the circumstances. Additionally, during an investigative interview, I was subjected to abusive language,” he said. “Also, I have been treated differently than other officers under similar circumstances.”
Finley said he believes he is the first black police officer in the department’s history.
Finley was hired by the OPD as a probationary patrol officer on Jan. 13, 2017, according to records.
He is a 2008 graduate of Clear Fork High School and completed his peace officers training at Central Ohio Technical College in Mount Vernon.
His personnel file had several documents showing he struggled with organization and report writing during his first year.
After showing Lt. Brian Williams he had improved, in April 2018, it was concluded Finley should complete his probationary status and be appointed to a full-time member of the department.
His personnel file had several documents showing he was allegedly late to work for his shifts.
“Sgt. Barnhard advised that he asked you if this was your first occurrence (of being late) and you advised him that it was,” Hill wrote in an email. “I am assuming that you have just forgotten that this is your second violation of Article 1.33 Reporting for Duty.”
Hill said Finley’s first late-to-work occurrence was Oct. 27, 2017.
