Auburn Board upholds cop firings

AUBURN, Ind. (WANE) - The Auburn Board of Works and Public Safety has upheld the police chief's decision in firing two policemen charged with engaging in a physical relationship with a member of a police program while on active duty inside their fully-marked squad cars.

On September 8, 2009, Auburn Police Chief Martin D. McCoy recommended that Officers Christopher Pongratz and Brett Browand be fired from the police department after they were each charged with actively and knowingly initiating a physical relationship while on duty, in full uniform and in a fully-marked police vehicle with a member of the Auburn Police Department's Pathfinder Program.

McCoy described the program to NewsChannel 15. "It's not for straight-A students. It's for kids, 16-21 who may have had some trouble. It's to teach them morals, ethics and standards."

According to court documents, the activities of the officers violated the 'Standard Operating Procedure,' specifically the Standards of Conduct in accordance to obedience to laws, regulations and orders, and conduct unbecoming of an officer.

During hearings in front of the board, Browand's testimony was emotional. "I explained what had happened and that I was very sorry. I had no words to say. I let them down."

Browand said Thursday he planned to apologize to the taxpayers of Auburn for his actions.

Pongratz has denied the allegations against him throughout the firing process and did not comment on Thursday after hearing the board's final decision.

Auburn Mayor Norm Yoder, R, said Thursday dealing with this incident was one of the hardest things he has had to do as Mayor, and hoped it could pass with time.

"Every community goes through things like this from time to time," said Yoder. "It's just a process. We need to turn the page and let the healing process begin and we'll move forward together."

City Attorney Erik Weber said Pongratz and Browand have the option to appeal the board's decision.