Quick HR question. If you slap a co-orker at work, do you get fired or do you get a paid vacation and a thank you card? Because in Akran, Ohio, apparently the answer is option B. Welcome to Thin Blue Lies, where misconduct doesn't end careers, it just schedules retirement. This story comes from Three News Investigates, and I promise you, I didn't rewrite it to make it sound ridiculous. Lieutenant Brian Simcox, a longtime Akran police supervisor, was investigated internally, and the department said, "Yep, that's sexual harassment." And that's where Logic left the chat. The incident that effectively ended Lieutenant Brian Simcox's 28-year career at the Akran Police Department happened at the visitation for a fallen officer. According to a notice of disciplinary charges on July 5th at an Akran funeral home, Simcox was walking by a female officer and signaled like he was giving her a high five. Instead, he quote slapped her derriè. And here's the detail that makes this story cross into you can't make this up territory. According to the reporting, this didn't happen at a bar. It didn't happen off duty. It didn't happen at some informal gathering. It happened during the funeral service of a fallen officer. Moment meant for silence, for respect, for professionalism. And somehow that's where this happens. Police departments constantly talk about honor, about dignity, about representing the badge at all times, especially at a funeral. And yet, even in one of the most solemn settings imaginable, the rules still didn't apply to everyone equally. That's not a lack of training, that's entitlement. The notice says Simcox texted the officer to apologize, but an HR investigation decided his actions were a form of sexual harassment. Paperwork shows Simcox was placed on paid leave on August 6th, but on October 1st, Simcox and the city of Akran agreed to a settlement. The deal allows the lieutenant to remain on payroll through January 2027. >> So, the investigation wraps up. The department looks at the facts and they conclude, "Yes, this meets the definition of sexual harassment, which means consequences, right?" Well, sort of because instead of termination, Lieutenant Simcox is placed on terminal leave. Let's translate terminal leave into English. It means no badge on the street, no responsibilities, no consequences, all the money. In any normal job, HR would say, "Pack your things." In policing, they say, "Pack nothing. We'll mail your paycheck." >> 3 News reached out to Akran PD's union, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7. They noted Simcox was not terminated and will leave the department in good standing. They did not comment on the allegations against him. Simcox's personnel file reflects highs and lows. He was frequently evaluated positively during his career, both in the field and as a supervisor. But the funeral home incident is not his first issue. And before anyone says, "Well, maybe this was just a one-time lapse in judgment," it wasn't because this lieutenant already had a documented history. Back in 2018, Lieutenant Simcox was suspended and demoted. Why? He illegally looked through a female suspect's phone, found personal offensive photos, and then shared them with other officers. Yes, that actually happened. So, this isn't an isolated mistake. This is a pattern involving women, power, and boundaries. At most jobs, that resume gets you fired. In policing, it gets you promoted back up the ladder and eventually a paid exit. >> Records show Sim Cox was demoted and suspended by former police chief Ken Ball in 2018 after he was the subject of a criminal investigation. It was found that he looked through a suspect's phone before finding and sharing offensive photos of her. The city of Akran later settled with the woman for $60,000. His file shows Chief Ball suspended Simco Cox again in 2020 after posting privileged information about the APD SWAT team to Facebook. Despite receiving a last chance letter two years prior, Simcox retained his job. And now let's talk about what accountability actually looks like in dollars. Because this wasn't just a quiet exit, it was a compensated one. Before his employment officially ends, Lieutenant Simco will receive more than $100,000 while staying home. On top of that, $480 of comp time and 233 hours of sick leave. That's not severance. That's a retirement party paid for by the public. At this point, terminal leave sounds less like discipline and more like a rewards program. >> According to city paperwork, Lieutenant Tim Cox will receive more than $100,000 in salary from home before his employment with Akran PD ends. He'll also be paid for $480 of comp time and 233 hours of sick leave. >> So, let's recap. a substantiated harassment finding at a fallen officer's funeral following a prior suspension and demotion. And the outcome, six figures, hundreds of paid hours, and a quiet goodbye. If that's accountability, someone forgot to define the word.