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JACKSON TWP. —
A township police officer who got his job back after he was fired three years ago has been fired again.
Todd A. Macaluso, a 17-year veteran of the department, was dismissed from the force Tuesday by the township trustees. Officially, he was dismissed for violating Police Departmental rules.
Macaluso declined to comment on Wednesday.
Township officials didn’t provide specifics, or cite the rule he’s accused of violating, saying in a statement: “It is a personnel matter involving protected information.” Trustee William Burger mentioned problems with the officer in the past.
“He finally crossed over the line,” Burger said, declining to elaborate.
Macaluso had waived his right to a pre-disciplinary hearing, so the board acted on Police Chief David Zink’s recommendation for firing.
Trustees first fired Macaluso in 2008, after he and more than a dozen law enforcement officials were implicated in a test-cheating scandal.
At the time, records showed Macaluso obtained answers to a certification test he took in 2008 at the Ohio Highway Patrol’s Canton post. The exam was required for those who operate alcohol breath-testing equipment — a dozen Patrol troopers also were fired in the scandal.
Following an appeal, an arbitrator ruled in August of 2009 that the then-39-year-old Macaluso should get back his job. Macaluso said he did have a cheat sheet, but didn’t use it.
In 1998, Macaluso was involved in a melee during a softball game. The fight, at a game between Alibi Lounge and the Jackson Township Police Patrolman’s Association, led to the firing of officer Ray Riley, who’d claimed he was simply coming to the aid of Macaluso and another officer.
A township police officer who got his job back after he was fired three years ago has been fired again.
Todd A. Macaluso, a 17-year veteran of the department, was dismissed from the force Tuesday by the township trustees. Officially, he was dismissed for violating Police Departmental rules.
Macaluso declined to comment on Wednesday.
Township officials didn’t provide specifics, or cite the rule he’s accused of violating, saying in a statement: “It is a personnel matter involving protected information.” Trustee William Burger mentioned problems with the officer in the past.
“He finally crossed over the line,” Burger said, declining to elaborate.
Macaluso had waived his right to a pre-disciplinary hearing, so the board acted on Police Chief David Zink’s recommendation for firing.
Trustees first fired Macaluso in 2008, after he and more than a dozen law enforcement officials were implicated in a test-cheating scandal.
At the time, records showed Macaluso obtained answers to a certification test he took in 2008 at the Ohio Highway Patrol’s Canton post. The exam was required for those who operate alcohol breath-testing equipment — a dozen Patrol troopers also were fired in the scandal.
Following an appeal, an arbitrator ruled in August of 2009 that the then-39-year-old Macaluso should get back his job. Macaluso said he did have a cheat sheet, but didn’t use it.
In 1998, Macaluso was involved in a melee during a softball game. The fight, at a game between Alibi Lounge and the Jackson Township Police Patrolman’s Association, led to the firing of officer Ray Riley, who’d claimed he was simply coming to the aid of Macaluso and another officer.
