By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
The Okarche Police Department has announced it will seek to replace former OPD Sergeant Charles Snyder.
The announcement can be found on the department’s Facebook page.
“The Okarche Police Department has an opening for a Full Time Police Officer. The opening was the result of the departure of one of our Officers who had temporarily left to serve our Country and, upon returning, had indicated that he wished to resume his duties as a public servant in our community,” the post reads.
“The Officer requested to return on a specific date which we accommodated. Between the time of that request and the date of his return, it appears that the Officer was presented with a new opportunity as he advised that he would be forgoing his return to work. Our community is sad to lose one of its officers but wishes him the best in his pursuit of his new opportunity. As a result, however, the OPD now has an opening,” the post stated.
Snyder told the Okarche Warrior last week that he was not sure if he would return to law enforcement.
Snyder planned to return to the position after he returned from active duty in the U.S. Army Reserves. He told the Okarche Warrior that he met with Smith and was accused of insubordination for unreturned phone calls and text messages. Snyder was not required to return those messages while serving his country. The officer also claimed he had been demoted from second in command to third in command, a possible violation of a federal law that prohibits loss of pay or position while serving as a reservist.
He told the town board last month he was hesitant to return because he was not sure if he would be in a hostile work environment.
Several calls to Town Administrator Richard Raupe were not returned at press time. Calls, emails and text messages to Chief Forrest Smith were also not returned at press time.
