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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowCarmel Mayor Jim Brainard has accepted the resignation of Carmel Police Department Chief Jeff Horner, the city announced Monday. The resignation comes less than a week after Horner suspended the department’s deputy chief of administration after an investigation revealed multiple allegations of “inappropriate behavior.”
Retired Police Chief Jim Barlow will serve as interim chief until a permanent replacement is chosen, the city said.
Horner served as police chief for about seven months after Barlow retired in January. Barlow led the police department for about 4½ years.
On July 20, the city announced that Horner had suspended Deputy Chief of Administration Joe Bickel and recommended to the Carmel Police Merit Board that Bickel be dismissed from the police department.
Dan McFeely, a spokesperson for the city, declined to provide additional information about Horner’s resignation or say if it was related to Bickel’s situation.
“The City of Carmel has no further comment at this time,” McFeely said in an email.
An external investigation uncovered allegations that included claims that Bickel groped the breast of a female employee, attempted to forcibly kiss another female employee, and kissed the hand and neck of third female employee.
The investigation also found that Bickel allegedly attempted to use his position of authority to influence a Carmel Police Department employee to violate a departmental standard operating procedure to benefit a family member.
Bickel, a 28-year veteran with the Carmel Police Department, was suspended following the investigation.
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