DiPietro hearing postponed due to crash

MIAMI TWP., Ohio (WDTN) - The disciplinary hearing for embattled Miami Township Police deputy chief John DiPietro was delayed again Monday when the township's attorney was involved in a car accident.

The hearing resumed Monday morning when DePietro was scheduled to present his side of the case. He is accused of acting against department policies when he hosed down a naked teenager at the police department.

The hearing began Nov. 14 and went for several hours while independent investigators presented their findings against DiPietro.

Following the first day of the hearing, DiPietro released a statement through his attorney saying he expects to be vindicated of the allegations against him.

At the heart of the matter is an allegation that the deputy chief acted improperly with a teenage suspect who had been pepper sprayed. DiPietro says the girl, 17, was asking for help with the burning sensation when he took her to the police station’s sally port for decontamination.

The pair were alone as the teen stripped down and DiPietro hosed her off, a violation of the department’s policies.

DiPietro contends he acted “to treat this person in a respectful and humane manner.”

He faces punishment up to and including termination from the department.