Clinton Township Dispatcher From Utica Fired for Facebook Comments

A Clinton Township police dispatcher cited for making derogatory statements about the police department and chronic absenteeism was fired Tuesday.

The township board of trustees voted unanimously to terminate Shannon Choppa's employment as a dispatcher, a position she has held with the Clinton Township police since October 2005. This decision came after the board met with Choppa in closed session to review the charges against her.

Choppa, 42, of Utica, declined to comment on the termination to media.

According to township documents, Choppa had been disciplined numerous times over the last two years for insubordination, posting derogatory comments about the police department on Facebook, failing to report for duty and absenteeism without leave.

The most recent incident, which township documents say occurred Aug. 16, was cited as the one requiring board action.

It was on this date that Choppa wrote "derogatory and factually inaccurate comments about the police department" on Facebook in a post The Macomb Daily reports was written in response to "the tragic death of a family friend who drowned in the Clinton River after running from police in an apparent case of mistaken identity during a robbery."

Although Choppa did not name the department specifically, officials told The Macomb Daily that those familiar with the situation could link her comments to the Clinton Township Police Department.

Police Chief Fred Posavetz also declined to comment to media but told The Macomb Daily he would not fill the vacant position.