We are learning more about the internal investigation that placed Newton Falls Police Chief Gene Fixler on paid administrative leave.
 
In an 84-page report compiled by the city's interim law director for city council to review, the investigation details alleged violations of the police departments policy and procedure manual.
 
The report also concludes Fixler had committed misfeasance and neglect of duty.
 
The document points to several examples of concern. 
 
The first being Fixlers' handling of an incident in December 2020.
 
At the time, Fixler was first on the scene and observed a possibly impaired individual. The incident was outside the Newton Falls jurisdiction, and a Trumbull County Deputy was called to the scene. The deputy then cleared the man to drive without arrest.  According to the report to council, Fixler was in his car making a phone call at the time the deputy released the individual but "agreed with this assessment" and said the individual was "tired and not impaired."
 
About ten minutes later, the driver was involved in a fatal two car accident. 
 
A toxicology report found the driver had a "significant amount and what would be considered a lethal amount" of drugs in his system.
 
The report to council calls this "misfeasance" due to Fixler's inability to properly determine the man was under the influence of drugs prior to his fatal accident, despite being trained on opioid overdose.
 
At the time, Fixler told 21 News he believed the driver did drugs after he drove away.
 
Fixler also comes under fire in the report for hiring that same deputy in March 2021, the same day the deputy was terminated from the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office for reasons related to that same traffic stop.
 
The report calls this "willfully inappropriate action and poor reflection on the Newton Falls Police Department."
 
The investigation found that officers job application to work for the City of Newton Falls was not completed properly.  
 
The report says, that although an applicant is required to list their most recent employment history with permission to contact a previous employer, the officer's application did not.  
 
The report also says the applicant does not answer additional questions on the application asking if he had ever been discharged or asked to resign from a job and to provide an explanation. 
 
The investigation found no references were given and no background check appears to have been done.  
 
In addition, the internal investigation found the hired officer was never required to take an Oath of Office. According to the report to council, this is a violation of department policy.
 
The investigation also accuses Fixler of Neglect of Duty by "recklessly creating budgetary issues within the Newton Falls Police Department due to his failure to properly apply for grants for School Resource Officer."  
 
The report says the 2021 Newton falls Police Department budget is significantly over budget and "there appears to be a history of financial short comings within the department." 
 
A review of Fixler's office and police department found "an overall appearance of disarray."
 
The report notes, "evidence bags were located with evidence in them."
 
These evidence bags should have bee placed into the evidence room and not left in the open in the Chief's office." 
 
Fixler is now scheduled to go before council for a hearing on January 5th. Mayor Kenneth Kline says following the hearing council will likely vote on Fixlers'  employment status with the city.
 
Fixler declined to comment saying he's agreed with the city to not speak with the media at this time. But, told 21 News that he will likely comment following the hearing.
 
Fixler has been Police Chief in Newton Falls for nine years and an officer for nearly 50 years.