Brady Offense No. 1737839060 - 513714679

Paige B Mitchell

Elyria Police Department

18 West Avenue

Elyria, Ohio 44035

(440) 323-3302

https://www.cityofe…

Date of Offense

May 11, 2023

Offense(s)

Abuse of Authority

Use of Force

False Statements

Official Statement

In May 2023, Elyria Police Officers Paige Mitchell and Colty Hersh responded to a call at the residence of Raul Ortiz. During this encounter, Officer Mitchell arrested Ortiz based on information from his ex-girlfriend, whom she believed to be a legal resident of the home. This belief led to the arrest, which was later deemed improper. Following an internal investigation, Police Chief William Pelko recommended the termination of Officer Mitchell and disciplinary action for Officer Hersh due to their roles in this incident. Subsequently, both officers were suspended, with Chief Pelko advocating for Officer Mitchell's dismissal.

Ohio Open Records Law

Ohio Rev. Code sec. 149.43 et seq.

The Ohio Open Records Law, first enacted in 1963, is contained in Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code. The law describes what records are available, what agencies are covered, what fees can be charged, who can ask for records, etc. Records include all records kept by any public office as well as records of both non-profit and for-profit private schools.

Anyone may request public records and no statement of purpose is required. In fact records requests need not even be submitted in writing and can be made anonymously. There are no restrictions to the use of records and the Ohio Open Records Law does not specify a time limit on open records request.

Brady Offense No. 1737839060 - 513714679

Date of Offense

Offense(s)

Official Statement

Ohio

Peace OfficerBill of Rights

Ohio Open Records Law

Peace Officer
Bill of Rights