Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said while internal affairs officers continue to investigate allegations of excessive force against Officer Robert Jolliff, he believes there is cause for concern.
"There is some indication that, so far, there is some wrongdoing," he said.
Jolliff is accused of beating handcuffed Willie Daniel, who is handicapped. Daniel said he was punched in the face by Jolliff following a traffic crash Feb. 27 on Wilson Avenue. Daniel was arrested on charges of OVI and driving under suspension.
During an interview Monday, Hughes said that Jolliff's gun was taken from him after he went out on medical leave last week. Jolliff collapsed at work one day after news broke that he was under investigation for the alleged assault.
Hughes said he is also concerned about the circumstances involving Jolliff's medical leave. The officer is alleged to have collapsed during his shift. Hughes said Jolliff was meeting with one of the other officers involved in the Daniel case at the time.
"They didn't ask permission to meet up," Hughes said. "This is a whole different set of investigation. We believe it is a violation."
When shown Jolliff's past internal investigations and asked if he thinks there is a problem, the chief issued this response:
"Looking at this in the collections of it, you would say it is a little more compared to the average officer," Hughes said.
Meanwhile, Tom Conley, director of the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League said he is concerned by the allegation and will be looking into the matter.
