TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — After facing criticism for making posts on Facebook about attacking China, some people thought Sgt. Brad Newman should be removed from the Terre Haute Police Department immediately.
The Terre Haute Police Merit Commission met Wednesday afternoon and heard from community members. Some wanted the Commission to fire Brad Newman, while others spoke in support of the police sergeant.
Terre Haute Reform Movement organizer, Dominique Morefield, said she was disappointed with the board’s unanimous vote against firing Sgt. Newman.
“They were very quick in their decision. They had no discussion that we saw,” she began. “It was just ‘what does the chief want?’ was basically what one of the merit commissioners asked and they immediately went with that. “
Others in the community said they felt termination was too extreme, including Newman’s long-time friend, Emily Donohue.
“I felt that it was important for me to come here and talk about the person that I knew and a person I knew to be contrite about what he had said and a person who is committed to doing better,” Donohue noted.
Terre Haute Police Chief, Shawn Keen, said he welcomes the opinions from members of the community. However he added that due to Indiana law, termination isn’t something that can happen immediately.
“We have very strict guidelines and so does the merit commission for what they can and can’t do. I think this was more of an opportunity to educate people on here’s why we do this,” Chief Keen said. “It’s not because it’s arbitrary and we want to do something. It’s because the law says we have to. We have to stick to that whether it’s a police officer or a suspect in a criminal case.”
Ultimately, the Commission approved of the action already taken by the Terre Haute Police Department, which included a six-day suspension without pay, followed by six months of supervision.
If there is another violation or incident, THPD Chief Shawn Keen said there will be a recommendation made to the commission for more serious consequences.
