Police union says Whitehall officer Enrique Ortega was fired unjustly [Video]

WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) — A Whitehall police officer was terminated Friday following a pre-disciplinary hearing, prompting outrage from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

According to a press release from FOP, officer Enrique Ortega was let go after Whitehall Public Safety Director Van Gregg, conducted a pre-disciplinary hearing that looked into union-protected activities and a conversation Ortega had with Whitehall mayor Michael Bivens regarding a number of issues within the department, including low morale among officers and a hostile and retaliatory culture.

The FOP alleges that Ortega was discriminated and retaliated against after conducting a union survey of the working conditions and mental health of officers within the Whitehall police department.

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The allegations come after Whitehall officers held a vote of “no confidence” in police chief Mike Crispen, citing what they called a lack of leadership and threats of discipline for …