By Rod Rose
Assistant Managing Editor
Lebanon — Patrolman Jason Leap is on unpaid suspension pending the result of an Indiana State Police investigation into allegations he pointed a handgun at a bar patron while off duty.
The Indiana State Police are investigating a complaint that Leap, a seven-year Lebanon Police Department veteran, pulled a gun on someone during an early morning altercation July 18 at the Hi-Way Hut, a Lebanon tavern.
Leap had been placed on a five-day, paid administrative leave by Lebanon Police Chief Tom Garoffolo on Aug. 24. The Lebanon Board of Works and Public Safety met at 10:30 a.m. Monday to remove Leap from duty.
Mayor Huck Lewis said it was premature to discuss whether criminal charges could be filed against Leap, pending the state police investigation.
“He is suspended without pay, effective (today), which is when his administrative suspension would have ended,” City Attorney Bob Clutter said.
After meeting in executive session, the board of works held an open meeting to announce Leap’s indefinite suspension, “pending the result of the investigation process,” LPD Lt. Brent Wheat said.
The type of weapon Leap allegedly used is unknown, Wheat said. “That will come out when the ISP investigation is finished,” he said.
See Tuesday's Lebanon Reporter for more of this story.
