SPD cop cleared of charges

SANDUSKY — A Sandusky police officer accused of shoving a woman inside a city bar while off duty last month won't face any criminal charges.The conclusion from a 23-page investigation, conducted by the Erie County Sheriff's Office, released Tuesday, effectively clears Carissa Cruz of any wrongdoing.Two main factors resulted in the decision made by special prosecutor and Norwalk law director Stuart O'Hara:• Conflicting statements provided by all parties as to whether or not Cruz acted as the primary aggressor• Malfunctioning video surveillance equipment inside Crowbar, which could have captured the entire incident on filmIn late September, city police officers responded to a disturbance involving Cruz, who reportedly pushed her current girlfriend's ex-girlfriend inside a bathroom stall at the West Market Street establishment."This caused her to strike the wall in the bathroom," according to the investigation. The victim "advised Carissa then grabbed a hold of her and flipped her around and shoved her into the bathroom stall. (The ex-girlfriend) said once they (were) in the bathroom stall, Carissa turned around and closed and locked the bathroom stall."Cruz told the woman she needs to "respect her." When the woman refused to do so, Cruz "started pushing her again." She didn't sustain any noteworthy injuries.The ex-girlfriend described Cruz as a "bully" who "uses her authority as a police officer to be above the law," according to the report. The ex-girlfriend vaguely made references to other incidents suggesting Cruz often harasses civilians.At least two other women, other than Cruz, engaged in a minor shoving match. The original police report alluded to Cruz pushing a total of two women, but this investigation indicates she only came into contact with just one person.Upon speaking with a sheriff's detective in the following days, Cruz claimed the physical confrontation started outside and not in a bathroom. Cruz added the ex-girlfriend pushed her. Cruz denied pushing back.Cruz did admit she confronted the ex-girlfriend in an attempt to speak with her.A detective asked Cruz why she did this. She responded by saying, "It was a bad decision." The report continued, with Cruz admitting "how she can't mix her social life with where she works."During the investigation, Sandusky police commanders placed Cruz on paid administrative leave between Sept. 22-30. Amid the investigation, on Oct. 5, Cruz returned to the force in a full-time capacity. She began her post with the department in September 2015 and makes about $46,100 a year.It's possible Cruz could face internal discipline for her actions.Going forward, she can't find herself in compromising positions where the public could lose faith in her as a civil servant, Sandusky police Chief John Orzech said."I expect Officer Cruz to return to her duties cognizant that she must maintain the public's trust, which she has passionately worked on our community policing initiatives and representing the human side of our badge," Orzech said. Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Cruz, Carissa