Plain City resident alleges officers failed to de-escalate; council approves police hiring policy

A Plain City resident told Village Council on March 23 that three police officers failed to de-escalate an encounter on March 20 and that he has filed written complaints.

Eric Medici said the officers "spoke over him," did not acknowledge his presence, and that one officer told him he was "acting like a child." He urged Mayor and Council to review de-escalation skills across the Plain City Police Department and to mandate additional training.

Mayor Jody Carney responded that the mayor does not manage individual staff disciplinary actions, advised the caller to bring complaints to Village Administrator Haley Lupton and Police Chief Dale McKee, and said the department had been portrayed inaccurately during the visitor comments.

Chief McKee said the Plain City Police Department is "well trained and equipped" and that officers respond according to training when provoked. He confirmed the department received written complaints and said he is reviewing video footage; "If, upon review, it is determined that the officers involved require discipline, such matters will be handled accordingly," McKee said.

Later in the meeting, Council approved Resolution 11-2026, "Authorizing and Implementing the Police Department Hiring Policy," on its second reading. The motion to approve was made by Michael Terry and seconded by Jim Eudaily; the record states "All in favor." The resolution formalizes hiring practices for the department, as set out in the agenda item.

The meeting record shows the visitor portion closed after the exchange and that Medici left the meeting before later agenda votes. The chief's review of the March 20 incident is ongoing; Council did not take separate disciplinary action during the March 23 meeting.