Shocking: Whitehall Police Officer Fired After Explosive Investigation – What Really Happened?

Following an inquiry into claims that she fabricated evidence, resulting in a wrongful arrest and felony charges against a woman, a Whitehall police officer was fired on Thursday.

Officer Brooke Cano was discovered to have recorded a confession that never occurred, according to Chief Mike Crispen. The woman was arrested and detained as a result of the false report. According to Cano’s report, the woman confessed to evading police, which is a felony charge.

She also stated specifics of the investigation that she would only be aware of if she was found guilty. However, after listening to a recording of the arrest, detectives concluded that Cano’s line of questioning was flawed and that the woman never acknowledged running away.

Cano was also a member of the local chapter of the police officer union, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Citing former union members who were also fired at Whitehall, Brian Steel, the local FOP president, referred to Cano’s dismissal as retaliatory. According to Steel, Cano was the sole female officer for the FOP working at Whitehall and the last surviving officer representative.

Steel also claimed that three weeks earlier, he expressed his concern that Cano would lose his job to Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens, accusing Bivens of “showing a lack of concern or respect” for Whitehall police.

Officer Cano’s record was free of significant disciplinary actions. Her record may have included one mild reprimand.

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Documents from Cano’s investigation show that she had previously received disciplinary action for failing to turn on her body camera and using detainees in an abusive manner.

Cano was previously disciplined for using excessive force against a pregnant lady, failing to provide adequate medical assistance following a use-of-force arrest, and using a disparaging name on the victim’s partner.

According to disciplinary proceedings, Cano said, “You have the right to remain silent, I’d exercise that right and just shut up!” in response to a detainee’s request for medical assistance. Crispen stated that Cano would be fired because Whitehall police would not put up with this conduct.

Cano told a woman to cease moving her hands, according to Whitehall police-provided recordings of the encounters.

According to the Circleville Herald, Cano joined the force three years ago after serving as the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office, where she was recognized for her exceptional work and was thought to be the first female road supervisor on the force.

Since a previous union representative was let go from Whitehall police in July, Steel and the FOP have called for a resolution to look into the Division of Police’s working conditions, which is now being considered by Whitehall City Council.

The resolution received its second of three readings on December 3, but the agenda for the upcoming Council meeting is not yet available. The Council will meet again on December 17.