Lexington police officer suspended for poor performance

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – An eight-year veteran of the Lexington Police Department was suspended for six weeks without pay this month for poor performance and overall demeanor, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The newspaper obtained details of the allegations against 30-year old Officer Ryan Wells through an Open Records Act request.

In addition to poor performance and overall demeanor, the report says Wells didn’t document and investigate incidents appropriately and did not treat detainees according to department standards.

Police Chief Lawrence Weathers recommended the six-week suspension, which Wells accepted and the Urban County Council approved at its meeting October 8, according to the newspaper report.

Wells received three coaching sessions and counseling forms, which address officer actions or behaviors, but are not considered discipline, on Dec. 12, March 31 and April 29, according to the report.  The documents obtained by the Lexington Herald-Leader did not elaborate on the nature of Wells’ coaching and counseling forms.

“Recognizing this pattern of unsatisfactory conduct, a supervisor filed the formal charge of unsatisfactory performance,” LPD spokeswoman Brenna Angel told the newspaper.