A former Denison police officer is protesting his removal from the force. A press release from Denison Mayor Dan Leinen says Ray Ohl was fired Feb. 5th because of insubordination and other misconduct. Ohl has requested a public hearing before the Denison City Council about the issues connected to his removal. A date for the public hearing is pending. The Daily NonPareil says Ohl was the department’s K-9 officer until he was removed from that duty on Dec. 29th, 2015.

In an interview with the paper three weeks ago, Denison Police Chief John Emswiler said he could not discuss the event for which Ohl was removed as the K-9 handler. Two days after Ohl was taken off K-9 duty, Chief Emswiler became the subject of a complaint for an incident that involved Ohl. On Dec. 31st, 2015, Crawford County Sheriff Jim Steinkuehler was contacted by an individual who had a complaint about Emswiler. The sheriff referred the individual to the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation.

Ohl organized and was among a small group of people that protested outside Denison City Hall on Wednesday, holding signs about equality, race relations and doing the right thing.

Geoff Greenwood, communications director for the Office of the Attorney General of Iowa, said his office is waiting for a report from the DCI before the investigation moves forward. Asked if the city intended to file charges against any of the individuals apparently in possession of the confidential personnel information, Leinen said an investigation was ongoing and he could not comment.