Milan police sergeant disciplined in firecracker prank, expected to return to work soon
A veteran Milan police officer is expected to return to duty soon after he was disciplined for lighting off a firework inside police headquarters last December, city officials said.
The internal investigation into Sgt. Tim Casey’s conduct when he was the supervisor on duty Dec. 5 was recently completed, a news release issued Tuesday evening said. Chief Jeff Lewis issued a disciplinary order that calls for demoting Casey to patrol officer, but other terms of the discipline have not been released.
City Administrator Ben Swayze said he and other city officials have been advised by their attorney not to divulge specifics of Casey’s discipline. A press conference is scheduled for later this morning.
Casey, 45, has been on paid administrative leave since the incident was reported to Mayor Kym Muckler days after it occurred. An investigation by the Michigan State Police determined Casey lit the firework and tried to throw it under the door of an occupied bathroom in the station but failed.
The firework exploded down the hallway. No one was injured, and no notable damage was reported as a result of what Casey characterized as a prank to investigators. The firework, which was in his desk drawer, was identified as a class C firework in police reports.
He was charged with possessing illegal fireworks and was allowed to enter a diversion program for first-time offenders.
The charge was dismissed upon Casey's completion of a class, which is customary for similar cases, said Jack Simms, chief assistant prosecutor of Monroe County. Casey also had to pay a fine.
Lewis and representatives from Casey’s police union met multiple times while the internal investigation was under way. It officially ended at a disciplinary hearing Tuesday.
Muckler said she was pleased to have the matter resolved and was “happy that an appropriate discipline has been issued and Timothy Casey will have an opportunity to return to the force.”
If he completes terms of the discipline, Casey would return to the department as a patrol officer, city officials said.
City Council Member Michael Armitage, a friend of Casey’s, said he expects the 16-year department veteran to exhaust his union rights in response to the decision. He also criticized the length of time needed for the internal investigation and said there never should have been a criminal probe.
“The manner in which this was handled has cost our city taxpayers way too much money,” he said. “I do not condone the actions of Tim Casey that night, however I am also not pleased with the manner in which it was handled."
Muckler defended the decision to contact the State Police for an independent investigation and said it was part of the city’s standard procedures when employees are accused of wrongdoing.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 723-623-2530.
Comments
Airman M.O.
Sun, Apr 18, 2010 : 5:22 p.m.
Engineer, you should put a little thought into what you are saying, before you go throwing your two-cents around. When some crack head breaks into your house who are you going to call?? The Police.
gmckeen
Tue, Apr 13, 2010 : 6:58 a.m.
Okay...I've NEVER worked at the PD...Maybe set foot in the building a handful of times in TWENTY FOUR YEARS...get your information straight cause you really are sounding foolish!
ProMilan
Mon, Apr 12, 2010 : 5:58 p.m.
Get over yourself! You've already admitted you do indeed have a vested interest, in that you worked for a short time (for whatever reason!) at the Milan PD. I sure as heck couldn't light off a firecracker, no matter how tiny, at my job, without being fired, prosecuted, and probably do a STINT IN JAIL. This officer is very lucky to still have a job and not be behind bars.
gmckeen
Sun, Apr 11, 2010 : 9:57 p.m.
@ProMilan...not sure "who" you are, but my guess is YOU have a "vested interest"...I've said before and I will say it again...i have NO "vested" interest, other than I feel this was sheer lunacy! I do not know any of the Milan PD personally, including Sgt Casey...he's NOT my friend...I know of him through his SIXTEEN years of service to Milan...sheesh...do you get it now?!!!...you obviously do not know the "inner circle" of police departments...that's ok, me either...but I've learned A LOT from retired officers here recently and LOTS is glossed over...in fact, I hear tell this wasn't the first time a firecracker was used for a joke!!! you have a right to feel this was a BIG deal...I reserve my own to feel differently!!! Furthermore....I've not heard ONE person...even those who support Sgt Casey say anything about a coverup...
ProMilan
Sat, Apr 10, 2010 : 8:05 p.m.
Please...why don't you talk about what this is REALLY about? Those that desire higher political office seem to jump up on a soapbox at disagree with the mayor, the attorneys, or the chief of police about any difficult decision that they make. Pray tell, how would the majority of citizens..not just four or five, but the majority react to a coverup, which it seems that is what many of you are suggesting. Guess what...the police officer made a very bad decision. He was treated openly and fairly. I think this little tempest in a teapot would be hurricane if those in charge did not handle it openly, honestly, and attempt be be fair to all. Should this have been glossed over, trust me, there would be more than an mere state police investigation and more than just a few people who were concerned. Get over it, and be glad those who represent you are up front and trying to do their job for all citizens..not just the few of you who have vested interests.
gmckeen
Fri, Apr 9, 2010 : 7:21 a.m.
@sally..."the health of your family"...that could almost be construde as a threat...i hope is wasn't!
gmckeen
Thu, Apr 8, 2010 : 2:20 p.m.
also, I count EIGHT posting against the actions taken in this matter here so far; four of which I am not familiar with...so ends your 'theory' of the fantastic five...you and those you support keeping "hoping" that what you say is true, because the reality is a lot more than you care to admit see this for what it is...a witch hunt...
gmckeen
Thu, Apr 8, 2010 : 1:56 p.m.
@sally...funny you should mention the other 4995 citizens in Milan...I had a conversation with Chief Lewis just yesterday and his words were strangely similar to yours! Only time will tell how the citizens of Milan feel about this situation...I know for a FACT that many more than "the same 5" feel similarly about this...SGT Casey is an exceptional policeman, he has been for SIXTEEN years...something as silly as a prank should NEVER have gotten to the point it did and the "internal investigation shouldn't have lasted so long, wasting tax dollars better spent elsewhere...I could go on, but won't...you get the picture!
Lokalisierung
Thu, Apr 8, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
"the same 5 or so people complain about poor Officer Casey." I'm not from milan and I'm complaining about it. I'm also complaining about your idea that "most people" would be fired for this. But of course, these are the same circles we run in everytime one of these updates appears.
af3201sps
Thu, Apr 8, 2010 : 4:51 a.m.
It is interesting that the same people four or five people go on the attack if anyone criticizes Mr. Armitage. As a taxpayer, it is my duty and my right to think critically and to criticize and question where it may be due. I voted for Michael Armitage but will not be voting for him again. In my opinion, he has shown a lack of maturity and wisdom which is needed. Ann Arbor.com has stated that Mr. Armitage is a "friend" of Tim Casey. While I admire friends standing up for friends, Mr. Armitage can hardly remain objective and seems to have allowed his friendship to stand in the way. Mayor Muckler decided to involve the Michigan State Police so favoritism and friendships would not be involved. Also, is Michael Armitage feeding this news to AA.com? I have to ask that question since he is the only council person quoted. It is rumored that he is shopping this news story to the media. I think before Mr. Armitage criticizes a legitimate investigation and complains about tax payer money, he should remember that he has cost the city tax payers quite a bit over the years with his police department misbehavior (documented disciplinary issues such as portraying himself as a police officer when he was only a police dispatcher)which resulted in investigations. Not everyone in Milan thinks Mr. Armitage is as fine a council person as the few five or six that pop up and jump to his defense every time something is written here. There is growing discontent with him in Milan and maybe if he cannot put his friendships aside he should step down as a council person. I know alot of people that will not be supporting him next time around.
Engineer
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 10:40 p.m.
More waste of taxpayer money. Cops have time to goof off. Sounds like a few more need laid off. They sit along the roads bothering drivers instead of worrying about real crime.What a joke.
Sally
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 10:04 p.m.
There are over 5000 people living in the City of Milan. Every firecracker article... the same 5 or so people complain about poor Officer Casey. Most people would have got fired for this action. Be happy he didn't lose his job. The other 4995+ residents are worried about taxes, putting food on the table, and the health of their family. Perhaps you should too?
gmckeen
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 7:41 p.m.
I spoke with Chief Lewis this morning on the telephone and he stated that the internal investigation was NOT completed!!
gmckeen
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 4:35 p.m.
So while Muckler defends the decision to involve the state police...I can't help but wonder...does she also defend the initial charge of a TEN YEAR FELONY?
scooter dog
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 3:57 p.m.
If anyone needs to be disciplined its the grandstanding,ego triping atta boy police chief,talk about a waste of taxpayer money
pawky
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 3:08 p.m.
Kudos to Armitage - the voice of reason. A criminal investigation was a shameful waste of money.
Alena
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 1:09 p.m.
I also agree with Michael Armitage's comment about what a "foolish waste of Michigan and Milan's taxpayer's money. The person that brought this to the public eye should be pointed out in a public way to show their part in this absolutely ludicrous investigation." The citizens of Milan are very lucky to have a Officer like Tim Casey!
Lokalisierung
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 12:45 p.m.
"was identified as a class C firework in police reports." WE still don't have an answer to what kind of firework this is. Still after all this time.
SMAIVE
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.
"I am also not pleased with the manner in which it was handled." How should it be handled? Simply swept under the rug? Policing (pun intended) one's own rarely deals with the real problems. Sounds like this approach opened a big ol' can of worms regarding performance.
LK
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 10:51 a.m.
I agree with the comment by actionjackson. What a foolish waste of Milan taxpayer's money. Sergeant Casey is one of the best officers and the Milan P.D. should be honored to have him on their force!
actionjackson
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 10:13 a.m.
I totally agree with Michael Armitage's comment about what a foolish waste of Michigan and Milan's taxpayer's money. The person that brought this to the public eye should be pointed out in a public way to show their part in this absolutely ludicrous investigation.