Merit board sets Dec. 11 hearing and suspends Officer Zach Smith without pay pending review

The Greenwood Police Merit Board voted on Nov. 13 to set a disciplinary hearing for Officer Zach Smith on Dec. 11 immediately after the regular meeting and to suspend him without pay pending that hearing.

Chair (name not specified) told the board it must give the officer at least 14 days' notice and noted Thanksgiving complicates scheduling; the board agreed on Dec. 11 as the hearing date. "We'll set the hearing for Officer Smith on December 11, after the regularly scheduled business meeting," the Chair said during the motion and voice vote.

The board debated whether to label the status "administrative leave without pay" or a "suspension," with legal counsel advising the former while commissioners pointed to ordinance language using "suspension." Attorney Linda Meyer said counsel preferred the administrative-leave phrasing but that the board should follow the ordinance as written if members preferred. "I spoke with counsel, and she preferred the language be administrative leave," Attorney Meyer said; commissioners agreed to follow current ordinance wording for now.

Chief James Eisen told the board the officer has been stripped of departmental authority and equipment. "We've collected his badge, credentials, weapons, vehicle, and all of that," Eisen said, describing the department's steps to remove police powers and tools during the investigation.

A motion to suspend Officer Smith without pay pending the Dec. 11 hearing passed by voice vote; the Chair also stated the officer "is still entitled to his medical insurance coverage during the suspension." The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the action was taken by voice vote.

Attorney Meyer outlined next steps for due process, saying she will send the required notice "pursuant to statute," identify the specific charges and alleged conduct to the officer, and advise him of rights including the ability to call witnesses. Meyer said she needs the officer's last known address to effect service.

Public comment during the meeting included concerns about supervisory detection of substance misuse. A resident who said she had investigated prescription abuse urged supervisors to broaden signs they watch for, noting that drug impairment might not produce an alcohol odor and could go unnoticed. The board cautioned that details of the investigation will be handled at the hearing, where the officer will have an opportunity to respond.

What happens next: Attorney Linda Meyer will serve the hearing notice and provide the officer the charges and the statutory notice of rights; the hearing is scheduled for Dec. 11 after the regular meeting.