Horner Fired as Portsmouth Police Chief
Horner Fired as Portsmouth Police Chief Save Email Print
Posted: 9:29 AM Oct 4, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:29 AM Oct 4, 2008
 Reporter: The Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
14 comments
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PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (AP) -- The southern Ohio city of Portsmouth has fired its police chief.

Mayor James Kalb said Friday that Charles Horner was terminated, but declined to comment further.

Kalb said an investigation by state agents failed to substantiate any criminal activity by Horner. He said a departmental investigation showed evidence of misconduct, abuse of power, insubordination and creation of a hostile work environment.

Horner has been sued by a Portsmouth businessman who accused the police chief of harassment and illegally searching a vehicle for drugs.

Horner had been on paid administrative leave since May. He could not be reached for comment Friday because he has an unlisted phone number.
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Posted by: Me not you on Oct 17, 2008 at 03:30 PM
The first FOP member wasn't saying he was afraid he was saying he doesn't trust the crooked cops here it's a bad feeling to trust your life to anyone let alone Scioto County's finest. I would be worried trying to raid a pre-school with these people. Plus here's a little more to the scandals that go on around here the guy that escaped from court and was found in Huntington is out walking the streets I know for a fact about half of the drug dealers that have been busted are still out there and its all about $$$$ why throw them in prison when they can let them back out to repeat the offense so they can get more fine money!
Posted by: An actual FOP member on Oct 8, 2008 at 11:28 PM
To so called FOP Member. You must have attended a different meeting than the rest of us. Your numbers are wrong. That makes me believe you are either really bad at counting or you are not what you claim to be. By the way, if you are an officer (and I have my doubts) and you are to afraid to perform your duties (walk thru doors to back up your fellow officers no matter what is on the other side) then I suggest you find a new profession. If you would like to discuss this futher no need to post it on the net. Just bring it up at the next meeting and we can discuss it.
Posted by: James (Portsmouth Resident) on Oct 8, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Let it be known its about time this city took a step in the right direction. Next on the Clean Sweep of Portsmouth should be the misleading and non-trustworthy mayor. After him clean out city council with their meetings before meetings, secret agendas, and overall lack of care and respect for the city and its residents. Then get some personnal in there that want better things for Portsmouth. Maybe, some people that want this to be a working class town, a city of prosperity instead of poverty. If the city of Portsmouth and the state of Ohio put as much time into bringing work to southern Ohio as they have trying to keep the 'Indian Head Rock' the line at ODJFS would not be as long. I am gonna wrap this up by saying Portsmouth needs a lot of changes and I also want to state I do not work for WSAZ I do not know anyone that works for WSAZ these are 100% my views only. Thank You very much for considering adding this to your comment section I hope you do and the right people get to read this
Posted by: FOP Member on Oct 7, 2008 at 06:21 PM
I am a member of the FOP and was at that meeting and there are around 40 members minus the vacant officers postions needing fill. Only around 18 members showed up and a majority vote of those officers pushed that vote through. Not all 18 voted for that. I believe there are several supervisors pushing that through so they could move up in the ranks. I would never want to walk through a door with those officers when you don't know waht is on the other side. You seen their pictures on the front page of the portsmouth daily times announcing the FOP vote.
Posted by: ed on Oct 6, 2008 at 04:15 PM
To Mike the mayor is not up for re-election this year. Might want to check your facts before you comment. And to anyone that thinks they know Horner and thinks he is a good man, have you asked the officers that have had to work under him all these years about him? Working day after day with him for years they know what he's made of. Remember the vote of no confidence. That was a vote from all officers not just ones he tried to say were disgruntled employees.
Posted by: Resident on Oct 5, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Even public officials have private lives. My husband is a police officer in Scioto County. He has a phone number at the department where people can leave messages, and if it is urgent individuals can contact dispatch who will contact him on our unlisted phone number. Say you are a cop, or a cop's wife, do you want people calling you at home everyday? We have had the families of criminals call us and harass us. So yes, even public officials can have private phone numbers. As a side note, I know Chief Horner and have for several years. I grew up with his kids. He is a good man. I believe he was let go unjustly and I'm thrilled he's fighting it.
Posted by: Reader on Oct 5, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Is it the normal to have an unlisted phone number to a public official? How do people get a hold of him after hours? Just wondering.
Posted by: mike on Oct 5, 2008 at 12:15 AM
one thing about it if he did do what they said he did then thats ok. but how many other policeman and woman do the same thing but just dont get caught.there are very few honest cops in any city.they are just trying to set an exaple. go figure the mayor is up for re-election he needs to look good in front of people.if it was not election time than he would do nothing.
Posted by: Tommy on Oct 4, 2008 at 10:35 PM
It is great news for the city of Portsmouth. To many people have been victims of his abuse and personal attacks. I had always been told that once you didn't do things his way or agree with him he would get even. Maybe now he is finished with his "getting even". Thank you mayor kalb.
Posted by: WOW on Oct 4, 2008 at 09:06 PM
ABOUT TIME SOME BODY STANDS UP ,JUST SHOWS YOU HOW THE POLICE WORK!!!
Posted by: taxpayer on Oct 4, 2008 at 04:01 PM
AND THE CITIZENS ARE REJOICING!! "failed to substantiate any criminal activity by Horner" actually the report said no FELONY criminal activity.
Posted by: matt on Oct 4, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Its been a long time coming, Im sure this comes as a great relief to ALOT of residents and there will be mixed feelings over this as anything else, BUT Im certain its a positive step in the right direction. We have alot of great officers here and I know alot of them personally so KUDOS to the City Of Portsmouth. This comes as great news to a concerned taxpayer such as myself, hopefully he will leave town and be someone else's problem and not ours.
Posted by: WOOOOO HOOOOOO on Oct 4, 2008 at 11:14 AM
ABOUT TIME>>>>WAY TO GO
Posted by: S.A.B.L.E. on Oct 4, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Go figure seems most of the area is having trouble with their forces and more on the way its going to be huge when all these investigations are finished but the citizens deserve better and will be more likely to assists when the crooks are gone
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