OH Fire Officer Back On-Duty After Halloween Candy Suspension

The Brook Park lieutenant who suspended for taking apparatus out on Halloween to hand out candy is back working in the station.

Following a five-day suspension with pay, Lt. Matt Lynch received a written reprimand.

Mayor Tom Coyne told Fox8.com that the issue was not about handing out candy, but about showing the fire chief who’s boss.

“Let me suggest to you what this is really all about," Coyne told the reporter. "So what we have here is a clear case of trying to circumvent the normal chain of command in the fire department. Nothing more. Nothing less."

The incident started when Lynch was suspended for taking a pumper, ambulance and department SUV out in the community to hand out candy on Halloween.

Coyne said all of the city's divisions will participate in Halloween events next year.

“I've been advised by the city not to talk about it," Lynch told the reporter Friday. "And my union's gonna take it from there."

Union officials plan to file a grievance over the discipline. 

“It is adults acting like children," parent Shannon Swancer said. "I just really think it's ridiculous."