By Jennifer Edwards Baker and Candice Hare
Published: Apr. 16, 2024 at 5:34 PM EDT|Updated: Apr. 19, 2024 at 5:09 AM EDT
CINCINNATI (WXIX) - A Greater Cincinnati officer lost two policing jobs in six months after posting a Snapchat video with a filter over his face, an image one mayor says has “troubling racial connotations,” public records show.
Michael Reschke was terminated from the Lockland Police Department in August 2023 and then hired that fall at the North College Hill Police Department but resigned in February, according to records in his personnel files at both agencies.
Reschke declined to comment on Tuesday.
He graduated from the police academy at Scarlet Oaks in 2022, state records show, and is not currently listed on the state directory as actively working as an officer for any Ohio police department.
But he is one of several former North College Hill police officers who filed complaints about Chief Ryan Schand to Mayor Tracie Nichols.
FOX19 NOW obtained those via a public records request.
Reschke’s complaint references the Snapchat incident while he worked for Lockland police and his personnel file shows that’s what prompted the mayor to fire him.
Another Lockland officer on his Snapchat, Heather Dobbins, sent a photo of it to the police chief, who placed him on paid administrative leave, village records show.
A text message exchange including Reschke and Dobbins that Lockland has as part of their review of the situation shows Reschke was called out for his Snapchat post and he responded: “I would also think I could trust my friends on Snapchat with a filter that looked racist not to be taken as anything else other than a joke.”
Two days later after Reschke was put on leave, Lockland’s mayor fired him in an email:
“You were placed on administrative leave on Aug. 23, 2023, in response to (a) complaint concerning a Snapchat photo you posted publicly that shows you in uniform, at the Village of Lockland police station, using a filter that possesses troubling racial connotations,” the mayor’s email states.
“I have reviewed the conduct complained of and find that this conduct violates Lockland Police Personnel Code 320.5 in that it discredits the integrity of, and reflects unfavorably upon, the Lockland Police Department and its members. Because you remain within your probationary period until Oct. 17, 2023, please be advised that your employment with the Village of Lockland, Ohio is terminated effective immediately.”
Reached for comment Tuesday, Mayor Mason said: “The Village of Lockland firmly stands by its decision to dismiss Officer Reschke as a result of his conduct in uniform on social media. The Village’s police department has no room for conduct that is racist or even creates the appearance of racism or poor judgment. This conduct does not meet the standard of conduct expected of its officers and will not be tolerated.”
FOX19 NOW reached out to Reschke’s lawyer, Steve Imm, for comment. He provided the following statement on Tuesday night:
“What Lockland did to Michael is a disgrace. It should be ashamed of what it has done to him. Michael is not a racist. He is not within 1000 miles of being a racist. The worst part is that Lockland knew, or should’ve known, that Michael is not racist, but they chose to be cowardly instead of doing a reasonable, rational investigation.
“If they had acted reasonably, with due consideration for Michael’s rights and reputation, none of this would’ve happened to him. He is a decent, good man, and a good police officer. His career has been deeply damaged and threatened, and perhaps ruined, because Lockland refused to do the right thing, and chose instead to act out of fear and cowardice.”
A few weeks after being fired, Reschke applied to work at the North College Hill Police Department and was hired.
In January, Lockland’s mayor reached out to North College Hill’s mayor about a letter sent to the mayor and Lockland Village Council “by one of your officers who also happens to be a recently fired Lockland police officer. This letter is both very troubling and certainly unbecoming of any police officer representing a municipality,” according to village emails.
Lockland’s mayor asked to meet with Mayor Nichols who agreed.
A copy of the letter, titled “False Statements and Negligence in Operating the Village” raised several allegations regarding his termination, the “investigation” leading up to it, the officer who forwarded his Snapchat to the Lockland chief and Lockland’s mayor.
“I was never asked anything pertaining to the video that I sent to a closed group and was targeted by people with an unfortunate agenda once they had knowledge, I was applying to be a police officer in other cities and townships,” the letter states. It’s signed ‘In opposition to Lockland’s Incompetence and employment practices” with a handwritten signature that purports to be “Mike Reschke.”
He resigned from North College Hill Police Department effective Feb. 21 in a Feb. 7 email to Chief Schrand that is very complimentary about his experience there and of the chief.
“Chief Schrand it has been an honor and a pleasure to work for you and work with the command staff as well as the officers at the city,” he wrote on Feb. 7. “I’ve learned a lot in the community and have made some wonderful friends in the department. Thank you for taking me in and making me a member of this family. You have an amazing staff and I wish nothing but the absolute best for everyone. Again, it’s been a pleasure Chief.”
The following month, however, Reschke filed a complaint with Mayor Nichols about Chief Schrand revealing he was pushed out.
Reschke said he was notified in a Jan. 24 letter that a complaint was received “regarding a letter I allegedly sent to the village of Lockland. The official letter Chief Schrand placed in my mailbox says that I violated North College Hill’s Standards of Conduct Policy, but when asked specifically what section of the policy my F.O.P. rep Tom Fehr said he could not answer because he had no idea, but later admitted to ‘political pressure.’
Reschke said in his March 31 complaint about the chief to the North College Hill mayor he wanted to “narrow down the section I violated.
“I’ve also attached my written ‘investigation’ administered by Chief Schrand with the letter I wrote but did not distribute that was 63 days old between being sent to my attorney and distributed to Lockland. My complaint is I was secretly hired by North College Hill to cover road shortages and a recent (string) in terminations. I believe Ryan Schrand hid me from the mayor and had no intention keeping me long-term with the City of North College Hill.
“Ryan Schrand and other command staff assured me that what happened in Lockland wasn’t fair and wasn’t what they were making it to be, and assured me that the city would not make that mistake. The Snapchat Balaclavia ski mask filter that Heather Dobbins made out to be blackface was exaggerated and blown out of proportion.”
He wrote that he accepted his job with North College Hill police " with confidence, assurance and ease. Months later a letter was distributed by my attorney without my knowledge and ex-neighbors, now one mayor of a small village and a mayor of a small city, communicate via email to end my career once again. While employed at the City of North College Hill, I received the second-highest employee evaluation, and asked Chief Ryan Schrand to speak to the Mayor to show her my items both from my own investigation and my attorney. He denied me...twice. Interim Chief (Lt. Craig) Chaney has reached out to me several times telling me he is trying to get me to come back, officers miss me, and things are changing. I’m very happy to hear Chaney is in charge, I’d love to see Chaney stay in charge. The entire department loves and respects him
“Your honor,” Reschke’s email to Mayor Nichols says in closing, “I just want to do what I was born to do...serve and protect the people with the skills I am fortunate to possess. I’m a good officer who just wants a chance to do his job without vendetta politics. I would be honored if you would give me just five minutes of your time to look at the real truth regarding the Village of Lockland.”
FOX19 NOW sought comment from Mayor Nichols, Chief Schrand and Interim Chief Chaney.
We will update this story when we hear back.
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