Washingtonville cop involved in flap returns

WASHINGTONVILLE - Police Chief John Finch informed members of the Washingtonville Village Council that Patrolman Charles Fusco would be returning to the police force Wednesday during the afternoon shift.

Fusco had not been serving as an active-duty officer due to a recent legal opinion from Village Solicitor Peter Horvath, which held an officer with a temporary restraining order against a village resident could not serve as an active-duty officer.

Fusco was granted the order from the Columbiana County Common Pleas Court against village resident Charles Morrow, which prevented Morrow from having any contact with Fusco and from going anywhere near his place of employment.

As part of the petition for the order, Fusco cited threats Morrow allegedly made against him. Fusco has arrested Morrow on multiple charges during the previous year.

In addition, Mayor Norm Sommers has previously cited the fact Fusco works full-time as a New Waterford police officer for Fusco's lack of being scheduled. Sommers said Fusco was unavailable to work the shifts Washingtonville had available.

Council members collectively said it was up to Finch's judgement whether or not to schedule Fusco.

"He's clean. His file is clean, he's never done anything wrong," Finch said.

Finch also noted Fusco has yet to work for the police force since he took over as chief.

Finch said that if Fusco has reason to believe he will come into contact with Morrow, he's supposed to call him, one of the force's two sergeants, or the Columbiana County Sheriff's Department to handle the situation.

Matthew White may be contacted at mwhite@salemnews.net.