Recently hired Yellow Springs Police Officer John K. Whittemore was terminated from his position on Tuesday, July 5, according to a press statement released by Village Manager Patti Bates at 5:18 p.m. today.

Whittemore was hired into the Yellow Springs department in March, and brought to the job 16 years of experience, having most recently served as an officer in Jamestown and West Carrollton.

`However, he was taken off the road and put on field training during the past several weeks following two controversial incidents that took place the end of May, during which he was accused of using excessive force. On May 28, Officer Whittemore smashed a car window and forcibly removed a local woman from her car in the parking lot behind the Gulch, where she was resting while waiting for a ride home, having had too much to drink and deciding not to drive herself home. The woman refused Officer Whittemore’s efforts to identify herself and exit the car, after which he smashed the window and handcuffed her. She was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing official business.

A few days later, Whittemore stopped a local 22-year-old man who was walking home from downtown, concerned that the young man looked “agitated.” A police video indicated that the man was forced to the ground and handcuffed when he refused Whittemore’s orders to stop and identify himself. He was charged with disorderly conduct and, because he was already on probation, had to stay in jail for almost a month before his case was heard, as he was not eligible for bail.

After the incidents, Police Chief Dave Hale said a use-of-force review was being conducted on each incident.

See the July 7 News for a more detailed story.