Opinion ID: 2977732
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: John Miller and the Union

Text: On August 4, 2004, Miller and the Union issued a seven-page press release alleging that Chief of Police Dean McKimm discriminated against black officers. According to the press release, McKimm treated black officers differently from their white peers, terminating black officers more frequently, disciplining black officers more harshly, and overlooking the achievements of black officers. The press release also alleged that McKimm abused his position to favor Pro Tech Alarm, a private security company owned by his brother. Further, the press release repeatedly emphasized that McKimm’s conduct violated numerous departmental rules and regulations, opining that “it is obvious that Truthfulness, and Integrity are for everyone but [McKimm].” In conclusion, Miller called on the City to “take the corrective action needed,” presumably to replace McKimm. The press release was distributed during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival, when many tourists visit Canton, and attracted attention in local news outlets as well as USA Today. In response, Mayor Janet Weir Creighton hired the law firm of Baker, Dublikar, Beck, Wiley & Mathews to conduct an investigation of the allegations raised by the press release. Shortly thereafter, the firm issued its report concluding that the allegations of racial discrimination and rules violations were 2 Miller v. City of Canton No. 08-3163 unfounded but that the City “must address the perceptions of racial inequality.” Following the outside investigation, Safety Director Bernard Hunt directed Internal Affairs (“IA”) to conduct an investigation into possible violation of Department rules by Miller. IA recommended that Hunt find that Miller violated six departmental rules in preparing the press release. A disciplinary hearing before Hunt was held as required by the collective bargaining agreement between the Union and the City. On April 4, 2005, Hunt released his report finding all six rule violations and suspending Miller without pay for sixty days, effective April 6, 2005 and ending on June 28, 2005. However, on December 12, 2005, Hunt ordered the City to pay full back pay and benefits previously denied Miller. On October 10, 2006, Miller filed a complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (“OCRC”) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) alleging that the City had retaliated against him “for participating in a protected activity, in violation of Title VII.”