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Newark Police Chief Accused of Passing School Bus

NEWARK, Ohio (24-7 News)--The Licking County Sheriff's Office is investigating allegations that the Newark Chief of Police broke the law by failing to stop for a school bus unloading children last October.

 Reports say there is video evidence showing Chief Barry Connell passing a Newark City School Bus from behind, even though the bus's lights were on and flashing.  

Connell had said he was responding to a police-run when he passed the bus, but Ohio law requires all vehicles including law enforcement to stop for a bus when its red lights are flashing.  

The school bus driver involved said she had reported the incident the day it happened, but nothing occurred for three months until public outcry on social media led to a departmental review.