Demoted Oak Hill cop a step closer to possible termination; notifies city in writing he might sue

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Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:

OAK HILL – Oak Hill’s personnel board has recommended terminating police officer Mike Ihnken from the city’s police force following a hearing Thursday.

The board acted on a request for termination from Police Chief Diane Young, who has charged Ihnken with failing to follow proper policies and procedures.

Inkhen responded to the city in writing following the board's recommendation with the threat of a lawsuit, if necessary to keep his job..

“I am very, very disappointed by the outcome of tonight’s hearing, but frankly I am not in the least surprised,” Ihnken wrote. “I intend on taking this to the city commission and if they also choose to turn a deaf ear to the truth about this as well, then I will explore my options in civil litigation against Chief Young and the city of Oak Hill..”

Young has maintained that Ihnken did not maintain his firearms instructor’s certification, which caused the city’s entire force to lose their ability to carry firearms. This happened on June 10.

Failure to maintain certification ultimately caused the police force to shut down for 24 hours until an instructor from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office qualified the force again. As a result, the police chief demoted Ihnken from sergeant to police officer.

The personnel board voted 3-1 for termination with Jeff Bracey dissenting. The city commission is expected to act on the recommendation at its next regular meeting.

About the contributing writer:

Dale Smith is a resident of New Smyrna Beach, who has reported on local news in Volusia County since October 2009.  His writing background includes a mix of journalism and public relations in several community newspapers and a p.r. firm in northern Virginia. He attended Barton Academy in Barton, Vt., and the Cambridge (Mass.) School of Broadcasting for radio & TV broadcasting.