News Room

Media Advisory

CLARIFICATION CONCERNING PUBLISHED INFORMATION ABOUT CHESAPEAKE POLICE OFFICER SEAN FLEMING

CHESAPEAKE – In today’s edition of the Virginian-Pilot newspaper, the column titled “OFFICER RODE TO THE RESCUE; IN RETURN, HE DESERVES A LIFT” could be interpreted that Chesapeake Police Officer Sean Fleming, who was shot during the crime incident of June 1, 2009, may not be receiving fair treatment. Columnist Kerry Dougherty included statements made by individuals outside the City organization that could be considered misleading.

The intent of this media advisory is to try to avoid this false implication from being repeated in future news coverage of the story.

To clarify:

• The City of Chesapeake is proceeding to compensate Officer Fleming for expenses and losses he incurred during this incident. This compensation is unrelated to any private insurance claim(s) Officer Fleming may file with regards to his personal vehicle. This amount has been established at $14,275.

• Officer Fleming is currently on a fully-employed, sick leave status with the City. In the event that Officer Fleming exhausts his accrued sick leave, a number of options are available, including a Sick Leave Bank and a program in which fellow City employees from any department may donate sick leave to Officer Fleming. Officer Fleming has not received anything less than his full salary since the shooting.

• To date, workers compensation claims have not been initiated for Officer Fleming. At the appropriate time, the City’s Risk Management Office will process those claims and assist Officer Fleming, as needed. Regardless of the amount, Officer Fleming will not receive less than his full salary.