Former City Safety Director blames CPD leadership, not officers

After a story published Thursday about the dismissal City of Circleville Safety Director Steven Wilkinson, he posted these comments to the Circleville Herald’s Facebook page.

During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Wilkinson said he was fired March 15 and explained what he thought happened during his weeklong tenure on the job . A link to that story is provided with the online version of this story.

In Wilkinson’s social media post, he does not blame the officers serving the Circleville Police Department but its leadership for misconduct. Wilkinson reiterated that he was punished for exposing “a culture of bad practice, poor decisions and toxic leadership” at CPD.

“I believe it is necessary to offer some clarity to the events that have transpired over the last ten days. I had no decision, input or involvement with the relief of duty for Chief Baer. The plan was developed and implemented by (Mayor) Michelle Blanton and (Law Director) Kendra Kinney prior to my appointment. There are many claims I reported misconduct within the police department. This is true. I witnessed, in my professional opinion, critical misconduct and training issues within the police organization.”

Wilkinson continued, “I am not painting the entire organization in a broad stroke of the brush. While working with the Circleville Police Department, I noticed a contingent of professional, dedicated officers striving to work diligently to serve and protect the citizens of Circleville. The misconduct I wanted to offer transparency on was directed towards the Police Chief, Deputy Police Chief and three Police Sergeants.”

“I do not believe the police officers are corrupt or are in any way intentionally involved. The Police Officers of Circleville are being influenced by a culture of bad practice, poor decisions and toxic leadership. I intentionally remained silent until last evening when I spoke to City Council. I did not want to negatively impact the pending safety forces levy, with news of impotent leadership. I was punished for attempting to bring accountability to the police leadership. I will offer complete cooperation to the Circleville City Council, in order to bring positive cultural change.”

Blanton did not offer any comment on these matters or Wilkinson’s dismissal.

In other business, council approved the first reading of the several ordinances at Tuesday’s meeting.

Authorizing the Director Of Public Service to apply for, accept, and enter into an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA), and Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) Construction Loan for the utility improvements for Montclair Avenue.

Blanton said the ordinance gives the Service Director the authority to apply, sign all documents for, and enter into the OWDA construction loan with the Ohio EPA for 2024 on behalf of the City. The loan is in the amount of $1,412,928. The funds will be paid from the Sewer and Water Funds. The purpose is to replace the sanitary sewer and affected waterline services in the project area along Beverly Road, Gulliford Road, Northridge Road, and Montclair Avenue. It also includes repairing and resurfacing all affected roadways within the project area.

Next, council approved an ordinance authorizing the Director Of Public Service to Execute A Right-Of-Way Easement to American Electric Power to grant it the right to install and maintain electrical transmission lines across land owned by the City Of Circleville and used as part of the Cargill Offices.

The Cargill grain elevator, located at the gateway of Circleville, is poised to receive a $20 million facelift. The project runs from March 2024 to August 2025, a company official told members of Circleville Sunrise Rotary on March 5.

Project goals include updating equipment and support buildings used to weigh and grade corn and soybeans, enhancing safety, improving customer service and efficiency, and improving the property’s appearance at 309 West Main St.

In other news, council approved an ordinance amending the Annual Appropriation Ordinance in the General Fund 101 State Highway Improvement Fund 204 Capital Improvement .4% Income Tax Fund 206 Safety Forces .5% Tax Fund 212 Fire Loss Prevention Fund 251 Covid Related Federal Grants Fund 257 Safer Grant Fund 258 Capital Improvement Fund 306 Wastewater Operating Fund 808 Waterworks Improvement And Extension Fund 819 Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund 909 And Sanitary Sewer Improvement & Extension Fund 920 of the City of Circleville.

Also, council approved a resolution Authorizing Uptown Circleville Main Street Program to use City Streets for its First Friday Event.

Lastly, council appointed Blanton to the District Advisory Council (DAC) for the Pickaway County Public Health and OneOhio.