Committee member raises misconduct concerns about Hamilton County deputy 'Officer Lawson'

A committee member told the Law & Public Safety committee on May 4 that a Hamilton County deputy identified in the meeting as "Officer Lawson" has repeatedly behaved in a disrespectful and intimidating way toward residents and at least one council member, and asked the committee to address the issue.

"He has been repeatedly disrespectful, dismissive," the committee member said, describing an encounter in February in which the deputy gave a thumbs-up after being told the speaker was a council member. "I don't think he should have a place here. He can patrol anywhere else." The speaker said the conduct raised safety concerns for both the officer and residents.

A representative of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office told the committee the office strives to be courteous and that there is an established reporting process for alleged misconduct. "If there is an issue, I would like to speak with you about given times that these have happened," the representative said, and explained that complaints can be filed at the county district office in person or via the sheriff's office website.

Village Manager Gains Brown said the committee would document the complaint and that the sheriff's office follows a system for investigating reports of misconduct. He encouraged the council member and any residents with concerns to file complaints through the sheriff's prescribed channels so the office can investigate.

The committee did not vote on any disciplinary action; the meeting record shows the allegation was raised publicly and the sheriff's representative and village staff said they would follow up and advise the complainant on filing an official report. The committee noted that formal follow-up would proceed through the sheriff's office complaint procedures rather than through an immediate in-meeting action.