EAST LIVERPOOL — A public records request did reveal the city’s school resource officer is currently under investigation for inappropriate behavior with an underage person.

According to Mayor Greg Bricker, Shawn Long, who has worked for the department since March 1997, was informed of his change of status in a written letter from Police Chief John Lane earlier this month.

He did not have to surrender his gun or shield, Bricker added.

Chief Lane had confirmed April 10 an officer had been placed on leave, while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation looks into reports that the unidentified officer allegedly sent inappropriate photos to a minor. “We called in BCI to handle it,” Lane said. “That way we can be completely impartial.”

In Lane’s letter to Long recently secured through a public records request, Chief Lane wrote, “This letter is to advise you that you are being placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation being conducted by BCI into allegations brought forth from the East Liverpool High School administration. During this time, you are not to represent yourself as a police officer or wear a police uniform. You are to leave your police cruiser parked at the station. You are to keep yourself available during your normal work hours from Monday thru Friday for call in for a possible interview.”

Long had been assigned in October to take over as school resource officer, after his predecessor Kelsey Hedrick went to the St. Clair Township department.

Lane also told Long he was to have no contact with any East Liverpool students (except his own children), any employees or district property.

The contents of the seven-page public records request revealed no previous inappropriate behavior with minors’ allegations; however, there were documents of concerns.

The most recent one was from East Liverpool High School Principal Dawn Moore. She penned a letter dated Jan. 14, 2020 to Superintendent Jonathan Ludwig, detailing her concerns regarding Long as the school resource officer. Long’s “diligence and sense of obligation” was questioned, although Moore did cite his “exceptional” rapport with the district students.

Specifically she asserts that Long consistently fails to report in a timely manner when contacted about crisis situations, ignores school administration requests regarding covering the lunchroom and directed end-of-the-day traffic and blames his failure to communicate with officials on uncharged cell phones and radios.

She expressed no concern regarding his behavior with underage persons, although Moore expressed a lot of concerns about other things.

“I see (the school resource officer’s) position as vital in providing a sense of security for our students and staff. I also see it as another resource for our students, as they struggle with diverse needs. As one can see, Officer Long must be readily available to fulfill the expectations for this position, and that has not been the case,” she wrote.

Ludwig declined to comment except to say that he followed the proper channels. “This is an ELPD personnel matter that is to be kept confidential by law. We met our responsibilities and followed our reporting policies and procedures carefully in an effort to maintain student safety. BCI is handling the investigation at this point,” he said after receiving the public records request.

Moore’s letter was not the first acknowledgment of problems with Long. Documents dated in December 2005 and September 2012 detailed his “excessive absenteeism.”

Police Chief Michael McVay first brought the issue to light in 2005, after Long had reported off sick a total of 128 hours during the year. At that time, McVay wrote, “You have established a pattern of excessive absenteeism that will not be tolerated. Any future sick time of this nature may require a doctor’s excuse and/or further disciplinary action will be taken.”

Chief Lane also issued Long a written verbal warning for his abuse of sick time in 2012.

Officials would say no more about the current investigation by BCI. However, those with information are asked to call 855-BCI-OHIO (or 855-224-6446) or file a tip anonymously online.