MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Police Capt. Scott McKnight submitted a letter of retirement to Police Chief Robert Morgan on Aug. 31.
McKnight’s retirement is effective Sept. 2.
“As of Sept. 2, 2023, Capt. Scott McKnight has announced his retirement from the Mount Vernon Police Department. Myself, the mayor, and city staff do wish him well in his retirement,” said Safety-service Director Richard Dzik.
The letter comes eight days after Dzik placed McKnight on paid administrative leave for allegedly violating department and city policies and procedures.
Dzik detailed the alleged violations in an Aug. 23 letter to McKnight.
“I am providing you with the results of the investigation that you requested into the culture and environment of the Mount Vernon Police Department,” Dzik wrote. “Due to that investigation, and despite your counseling in 2021 and leadership training in 2022, you have violated the following policies/procedures of the police department and the City of Mount Vernon.”
The alleged violations include:
• Failure to release his personnel file after being ordered to do so by the police chief (insubordination).
• Failure to report to the chief a significant accident involving a subordinate.
• Failure to complete assigned tasks in a timely and effective manner, including failure to effectively manage the department’s schedule as well as over-delegation of assigned tasks.
• Lying, attempting to create turmoil, and diminishing fellow employees.
• Engaging in retaliatory behavior against another officer.
• Threatening, intimidating, coercing, or interfering with subordinates or other employees.
• Willful disregard of departmental rules.
Dayton attorney John Sauter provided a statement on McKnight’s behalf.
“Capt. McKnight retired after more than 20 years of service to the Mount Vernon Police Department and citizens of Mount Vernon,” he said. “He did so to pursue other interests.
“He appreciates the opportunity to serve the citizens of Mount Vernon, and I know he will view his time there pretty fondly.
“As the Aug. 23 letter showed, it’s apparent that Capt. McKnight and the chief had contrasting management styles,” Sauter continued. “Rather than causing disruption to the department, Scott chose to end his employment with the City of Mount Vernon.”
Background
According to McKnight’s personnel file received through a public records request, Dzik counseled McKnight in 2021 for his leadership and supervisory conduct as captain.
Topics included communication, micromanagement, intimidation, and constructive delegation.
In June 2022, McKnight graduated from the Public Safety Leadership Academy, college-level training offered through The Ohio State University.
Personnel records also reflect certificates and letters of appreciation for McKnight’s community presentations, involvement in community activities, and handling of law enforcement incidents. He received the 2003 MVPD Officer of the Year Award.
McKnight joined the MVPD in 1998. He was promoted to corporal in 2008 and to sergeant in 2013.
He achieved the rank of captain in 2015 after an appeals court determined that Morgan, a sergeant at the time, was ineligible for the position.
Morgan was previously promoted to sergeant, demoted to corporal, and then promoted again to sergeant. The court ruled Morgan ineligible because he had not consecutively served the required 12-month period of being a sergeant.
When former Chief Roger Monroe retired in 2019, McKnight served as interim chief until current Chief Morgan was appointed.
