Investigator Exclusive: Review board rules on erotic police golf outing

[Sandy Eggo]

PARMA -- A civilian review board cleared police of wrongdoing after reviewing an internal police probe into a golf outing that featured sexually explicit activity.

It was the first case for the newly-formed, five-member citizens panel which includes two police officers and a lawyer who also serves as a grand jury prosecutor.

The two other members are civilians.

"I don't think it will ever happen again," outgoing police chief Daniel Hoffman said.

When asked why police investigators or the civiilian review board never interviewed the undercover Channel 3 News videographers who taped the event, Hoffman said "that may have been an oversight."

Parma Safety Director Greg Baeppler said the organizer of the event, Parma police Sgt. Tom Siedlicki, was not even given a slap on the wrist.

"He was counselled," Baeppler said.

Sidelicki was told of new and stricter guidelines he must follow if the event is held again at the Ridgewood Golf Course, which is a city-owned course down the street from Parma City Hall.

Channel 3 News hidden cameras found sexually explicit activity happening on the 6th hole during the Labor Day weekend event.

Golfers were treated to lap dances and sexual contact with women who were brought in for the event.

Explorer Scouts provided shuttle rides for the girls and participants, but Baeppler says they did not see the activity taking place on the 6th hole.

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=170204&catid=3

The fact that they actually used the phrase "police probe" is priceless.