Johnstown removes Haroon as police chief, names deputy chief interim
JOHNSTOWN — Mayor Chip Dutcher announced Friday that Johnstown Police Chief Abe Haroon has been removed from his position and Deputy Chief Rusty Smart will serve as interim chief until new leadership is found.
“Johnstown is moving in a different direction in leadership of the police department,” Dutcher said. “We thank chief Haroon for his service. Chief did some things really well and did some things I’m not happy with.”
Haroon served two years as a deputy with the Licking County Sheriff’s Office, followed by 13 years with the Pickerington Police Department before becoming chief in Johnstown on March 30, 2020.
Dutcher said, “Council decided to go in a different direction. It was a unanimous decision.”
Johnstown City Council met Wednesday night and took no action on Haroon during the meeting before going into executive session “to consider the investigation of complaints against a public employee or official” and “to consider the appointment and compensation of a public employee.” Ohio law prohibits governments from taking action during executive sessions.
Council Clerk Teresa Monroe said the only action taken following executive session was to appoint former councilman Sean Staneart as assistant city manager, a part-time position paying $50,000.
Asked when council’s unanimous vote occurred, Dutcher said it was not a vote, but “we made sure we told the acting city manager how each of us felt.”
Haroon declined to comment about the termination, which occurred a few months after the chief filed a complaint against Council President Marvin Block. The Feb. 22 written complaint alleges numerous inappropriate or unethical actions. Haroon alleged in the complaint Block was unhappy department directors were running the city instead of council.
The complaint also alleged that in a Jan. 20 meeting at Block’s house, the councilman warned the chief about spending too much time behind closed doors with Finance Director Dana Steffan, saying it didn’t look good.
During a Feb. 15 city council meeting, Aaron Steffan, husband of the finance director, and Judy Haroon, wife of the chief, each publicly attacked Block for spreading rumors..
Block said he did not allege the two were having an affair, just that it didn’t look good.
But, in the Feb. 15 council meeting, former councilwoman Cheryl Robertson said, “You alluded to it, Marvin.”
Haroon states in his complaint that on Feb. 5, Robertson advised him that Block started the rumor of an affair between the chief and Steffan.
Block said, “I didn’t think they were having an affair. I still don’t. I said they were wasting taxpayer money, in their office talking about things that weren’t taxpayer’s business.”
The purchase of a police department drone and associated equipment, at a cost of almost $30,000, upset Block, who said the chief hid the purchase from council.
The chief said he discussed the drone several times with Jim Lenner, the former city manager who left on Dec. 3, and council had the entire budget, but did not ask any questions about the drone or anything else.
Lenner confirmed Friday he discussed the drone several times with the chief and it was listed in the budget.
The chief ’s complaint also alleged Block warned him if he did not dismiss a police clerk, there would be consequences.
“It was more than implied that if I did not release (the clerk), Mr. Block would dissolve the mayor’s court, remove the police clerk, or dissolve the Johnstown Police Department,” the chief wrote.
Block could not be reached for additional comment on Friday.
Haroon, who was born in Pakistan, has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration, a master’s in business administration and graduated from several police leadership schools. kmallett@newarkadvocate.com 740-328-8545
Twitter: @kmallett1958