Poland Twp. places officer on emergency unpaid leave

A Poland Township police officer was placed on emergency unpaid suspension by the Poland Township Trustees Wednesday night.

Poland Township Chief of Police Greg Wilson spoke with the trustees during its regular trustee meeting Wednesday, and the board went into executive session to discuss the disciplinary action of a township employee.

When the Board of Trustees came back into session, Eric Ungaro, Joanne Wollet, and Edward Kempers unanimously voted to place Officer Joseph Patton on emergency unpaid leave from the department.

Chief Greg Wilson tells 21 News that the officer was placed on unpaid leave for work performance concerns and a potential policy violation.

According to township trustee Eric Ungaro, this is the first step in the process, and now the matter will be turned over to the Mahoning County Prosecutor's office.

Patto has been with the Poland Township Police Department since 2019.