Dispatcher signs last chance agreement

PERKINS TWP. — An Erie County dispatcher has signed a last-chance agreement to continue her employment after a June arrest for allegedly operating a vehicle under the influence. Miranda R. Cox, 27, of Pelton Park Drive in Perkins Township, is facing one count of operating a vehicle under the influence and one count of refusal. Both charges are first-degree misdemeanors. Cox was off-duty at the time of the incident, which occurred at about 1 p.m. on June 26 when she was allegedly found asleep at the wheel of a vehicle at the intersection of Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) and East Perkins Avenue, according to an Erie County sheriff's report. A passerby located Cox, placed her car in park and took her keys from the ignition, the report said. Cox was arrested and allegedly provided a blood alcohol breath test result of .161, more than twice the .08 Ohio legal limit. Cox was placed on leave after her arrest. Terms of the agreement included a five-day unpaid suspension, the loss of 40 hours of discretionary time such as vacation, personal or compensatory time and waiver of the right to appeal the suspension and forfeiture of paid leave. It also includes requirements for mental health and substance use assessments and drug testing. According to the agreement, Cox can be terminated without any type of post-termination grievance, arbitration, litigation or appeal for any acts of misconduct involving alcohol and/or other substances, including but not limited to any further OVIs, violations of the Ohio Revised Code, any failure of good behavior and/or conduct unbecoming an employee of the sheriff's office. The last chance agreement will remain in effect for 24 months starting from the effective date of the agreement. Cox signed the agreement on July 3 and Sheriff Paul Sigsworth signed on Monday. "The conduct that caused the agreement to be necessary is extremely disappointing," Sigsworth said. "The entirety of circumstances as documented in the arrest report by our deputies is extremely disappointing and not in keeping with standards and expectations of employees of the sheriff's office." The agreement has no bearing on the OVI case in Huron Municipal Court, which will continue as normal. Cox pleaded not guilty on Friday; she does not have any future court hearings listed as of Monday.