Two Chiefs on Leave from MI Fire Dept.

March 16, 2017
The two were placed on administrative leave after Cascade Twp. firefighters were arrested.

Two fire chiefs are on administrative leave as officials announced an investigation into department policies following the arrest of two firefighters.

Chief John Sigg and Deputy Chief John Shipley were on leave Monday, Township Manager Ben Swayze confirmed to FOX 17.

Early this year, two Cascade Twp. firefighters were arrested for engaging in sex with minors.

Clem Bell was arrested in January for having sex with a 16-year-old girl and is accused of exchanging explicit photos. 

In February, Steven Drake was arrested and charged with two counts of sexually abusive material/activity and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime. Officials said Drake had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl identified as a fire explorer. 

Officials have not said if it was the same girl in both cases.

Swayze told the the television station that the township is looking into the fire department's policies.

"Today's actions or this weekend's actions are a combination of two past errors of mankind," Shipley told FOX 17. "One is the Salem witch hunt and the other is the great Roman emperor who threw slaves into the ring,"

Shipley believes he and Sigg will be removed from the department.

"I expect to get my walking papers on Friday after 46 years of service," said Shipley.

 

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