By Robb Murray, Mankto Free Press Staff Writer
Mankato, Minn. — A Blue Earth County 9-1-1 dispatcher that had been photographed and videotaped sleeping on the job — and who had been suspended for what supervisors say were numerous similar incidents — is under investigation again.

Benjamin Metcalfe, was suspended in June for three shifts for “failure to stay alert and be prepared to respond to radio and telephone traffic in addition to providing assistance to coworkers if needed.”

In response to a request by The Free Press for information regarding Metcalfe’s job performance, Blue Earth County provided several documents publicly available upon request. The county complied, providing The Free Press with memos to Metcalfe outlining the allegations against him and the county’s findings.

The county also says, “Additional complaints have been made that are currently under investigation.”

According to county documents, Metcalfe — who earns $39,121 annually — received a verbal reprimand Feb. 25 that read, in part, “On the morning of Feb. 24, 2010, you were observed sleeping while on duty in the dispatch center. The other dispatchers on duty had to wake you up a couple of times between the hours of 0300 and 0630 because your feet were up on the desk, eyes were closed, and you failed to respond to conversations.”

Later, the reprimand, written by Dispatch Supervisor Pat Wallace, reads, “This is not the first time I have received complaints about you sleeping on the job.”

Metcalfe received another reprimand March 18.

This time Wallace wrote, “On the morning of March 5, you failed to respond to a coworker attempting to ask you a question regarding a call for service that you possibly changed some of the information. The coworker had to call your name several times before you finally answered. Your response sounded groggy and you had no idea of the answer.”

And in June, Wallace issued a written suspension to Metcalfe. The suspension was backed up by a list of examples where Metcalfe was observed sleeping, or close to it.

On May 26: “You appeared to be sleeping during the shift.” On June 6: “A coworker observed hearing a snoring sound from you and you appeared to be asleep.” On June 7: “A coworker observed you nodding your head, eyes closed and giving the appearance of sleeping.” And on June 8: “A coworker observed you asleep in your chair.”

The end of the June letter of suspension ends ominously.

“Please be advised that your job is in jeopardy. This is your last chance. If you engage in future misconduct or continue to violate county policy you will be terminated from your employment.”

Metcalfe, however, said he’s not the same person he was when he was falling asleep on the job.

“I’ve changed my ways, paid my punishment and changed how I go about my work,” he said.

He admitted that he makes mistakes, but said he’s not alone in that arena. He pointed to an apparent error in The Free Press’ Sunday sports section in which a volleyball photo of Maple River vs. St. Peter ran next to a volleyball article about the Mankato East vs. Mankato West match. (The two games were in fact part of the same tournament and intentionally ran together.)

“Is someone going to write an article about that?” he wondered.

But answering 9-1-1 calls isn’t quite the same as running a wrong photo, and Metcalfe says he understands that. So he points to some more evidence in his favor.

“There is no documentation that I missed a call,” he said.

He also said he and his wife have made changes in sleep schedules at home to give him more sleep.

Metcalfe, however, is unaware of any other complaints against him. He said he spoke with Wallace Saturday and she mentioned nothing about an investigation.

Posted with permission of the Mankto Free Press.