Yellow Springs cop faces criminal charges

The village police sergeant who used physical force to remove a camera from a disabled resident taping police activity is now facing criminal charges, according to the village manager.

Sgt. Naomi Penrod is facing three misdemeanor charges, of interfering with civil rights, assault and disorderly conduct, according to Yellow Springs Village Manager Patti Bates, who declined to give further details. “There will be no further comment from the Village at this time,” Bates said in a written statement.

Penrod will be placed on administrative leave with pay until the criminal case has been resolved, according to Bates.

Bates wrote the village has been transparent while handling the incident with Penrod and she believes the village has duty to be fair to its employees and the community.

“Now that an independent investigation and special prosecutor have determined the filing of criminal charges is appropriate, we must wait for the resolution of the criminal process and the Village has a legal obligation to ensure the administrative due process rights of its employee are respected,” Bates wrote. “The Village also has a duty to balance the public’s and the officer’s welfare.”