A Cuyahoga County sheriff’s deputy who participated in high-speed chases that killed two bystanders admitted to “mendacity” throughout his background examine and preserving particulars off his software, in line with his personnel file.
Deputy Kasey Loudermilk denied having already accepted a job as an officer with the Cleveland Clinic throughout the sheriff division’s hiring course of. He additionally didn’t record on his software that the Ohio State Freeway Patrol and Highland Heights police had disqualified him for failing polygraph and bodily agility assessments, in line with Loudermilk’s personnel file.
“He apologized for mendacity and brazenly admitted to accepting the job on the Cleveland Clinic, however would relatively work for our company,” Sheriff’s Detective Kevin Harvey wrote within the conclusion of a 250-page background investigation.
Dishonesty on job purposes usually disqualifies most individuals, however Loudermilk nonetheless bought a sheriff’s badge and gun and landed on the controversial Downtown Security Patrol.
How Loudermilk bought his job sheds extra mild on hiring practices inside the sheriff’s division after one other deputy was deemed unfit to be an officer, however was employed anyway.
Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Division leaders, police consultants stated, ignored warning indicators and may have by no means employed both deputy, because the failures create belief points with the general public.
“This is a sign that there are systemic points within the hiring course of,” stated Kalfani Turé, an assistant professor at Widener College who research police practices in Pennsylvania. “The company had forewarnings and made unhealthy choices.”
Loudermilk, who’s now on administrative obligation, didn’t reply to a request for remark. Kelly Woodard, the county’s director of communications, declined to reply questions in regards to the hiring course of.
“Deputy Loudermilk was employed below a sheriff appointed previous to this administration,” she wrote in an announcement. “The Sheriff’s Division is dedicated to attracting certified candidates and guaranteeing a good hiring course of.”
Cuyahoga County Council President Dale Miller questioned the sheriff’s division’s hiring practices.
“If somebody intentionally lies throughout the software course of, we shouldn’t be hiring them,” Miller advised The Marshall Mission – Cleveland. “That could be a drawback.”
Since 2018, Loudermilk has labored for police departments in North Perry, Grand River, College Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic, state data present.
He joined the sheriff’s division in November 2022.
Harvey discovered Loudermilk accepted a job on the Cleveland Clinic after chatting with Loudermilk’s supervisor on the College Hospitals’ police power, data present. Loudermilk denied taking the job when Harvey questioned him.
After a second cellphone name, Loudermilk got here clear.
Loudermilk listed on a polygraph questionnaire throughout the sheriff division’s hiring course of that the Ohio State Patrol rejected him as a result of he failed a polygraph examination. He stated he later took a second examination and handed, in line with a sheriff’s polygraph report.
He additionally advised the examiner that Highland Heights police officers disqualified him as a result of he failed a bodily agility check.
The examiner wrote that Loudermilk didn’t disclose the main points on his software as a result of he didn’t have sufficient house obtainable.
Loudermilk handed the polygraph, however the examiner wrote that “the numerous data ought to be thought of” when deciding if Loudermilk was a suitable candidate.
Jeff Wenninger, a Cleveland-area skilled on police ways, stated legislation enforcement calls for excessive requirements, as most departments have a zero tolerance for mendacity.
“It ought to be thought of a personality disqualification,” Wenninger stated. “False and deceptive statements make it affordable to query an officer’s integrity in actions, report writing, testimony and failing to report noticed misconduct.”
The polygraph report confirmed Loudermilk had credibility points, which now brings liabilities to the county, Ture stated.
Loudermilk pursued a automobile early Sunday that struck Sharday Elder’s car on Superior Avenue and Addison Highway. Elder was pronounced useless at a hospital, in line with a sheriff’s incident report, which acknowledged that speeds exceeded 100 mph. The motive force Loudermilk was pursuing now faces prices of aggravated vehicular murder, involuntary manslaughter and working a car whereas below the affect. He pleaded not responsible Thursday, Information 5 Cleveland reported.
Loudermilk additionally led a chase in March the place the opposite driver struck Tamya Westmoreland’s Vary Rover on the Eddy Highway exit off Interstate 90, in line with stories. She died, together with the motive force who fled from Loudermilk.
One other sheriff’s deputy, Isen Vajusi, was pressured off a suburban police power after he failed subject coaching, The Marshall Mission – Cleveland and Information 5 Cleveland reported in June. That division discovered that he lacked confidence, had problem in annoying conditions, and “hesitates as a result of he’s afraid of creating a mistake.”
In Could, he fired rounds at a teen and was quickly assigned to a different unit. He’s now on administrative obligation with the downtown unit.
The information retailers reported just lately that Vajusi pointed a rifle out a window in a December chase the place speeds topped 100 mph.
Two months earlier than that chase, Vajusi had shot a teen within the leg.
