Post by WaTcHeR on Feb 9, 2007 12:21:11 GMT -5
HARLAN -- Former Harlan Police Officer Brad Wendt challenged city officials Tuesday to explain why he had been fired from the police force the day before, but the mayor, city council and administration weren't about to open up Wendt's personnel file for public inspection.
Wendt addressed the Harlan City Council Tuesday evening, a day after he and fellow officer Aaron Holtz, who recently were involved in alleged off-the-job hunting violations, were relieved of their duties. Both came to work Monday, Feb. 5 and were told they were no longer Harlan Police officers. Holtz did not attend the meeting Tuesday.
"Monday I came to work and they offered me a chance to resign my commission to work or be fired, and I'd like to know why," said Wendt.
Harlan City Administrator Terry Cox said the mayor, council and administrative officers of the city and police department came to the decision to terminate Wendt and Holtz's employment, but offered no specific reasons as to their termination. Officials did say they've been reviewing the situation over the last few months.
"They just don't work here anymore," said Cox. "We felt this was the best for the City of Harlan and police department. Things just didn't work out."
Among one of the reasons, however, could be recent charges filed against the two former officers.
Wendt and Holtz were charged following an investigation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources with cooperation with the Iowa State Patrol. The two were among six individuals charged with hunting violations in Cass and/or Adair Counties November 24, 2006.
Daniel L. Feistner, Cass County County Attorney, said Holtz was charged with two trespassing counts and pursuing deer with a motor vehicle. Wendt was charged with pursuing deer with a motor vehicle, two counts of trespassing, shooting from the roadway and failure to display plates.
Holtz will go to trial March 29 at 9 a.m. at the Cass County Courthouse in Atlantic. Wendt's trial on the charges in Cass County also is at 9 a.m. March 29. Trial on the charges stemming out of Adair County for Wendt has yet to be set.
A trial on the matter of seized property from Wendt during the investigation is scheduled for April 5.
On Tuesday, an angry Wendt begged the city officials to explain why.
"Some of you guys are business owners. Do you normally just let people go after four years, seven years, and not have a reason?," he asked. "That's what I'm here for. I want to know what led to that decision, and I think that's what I deserve."
Wendt hinted that he believes the city bowed to public presssure.
"If that's what you guys want to project for the City of Harlan, that if you come to work here you could be fired just because people's outcries are much more than you can handle," he said. "You guys got elected by these people, and obviously you're speaking for them, but you won't tell us why."
Wendt said it'll be tough to find a job in police work following his termination.
"You know how hard it is to get a job in this line of work when they call and say hey, why doesn't this guy work there anymore, and won't answer that question?," Wendt questioned. "And it's by no wrongdoing of us."
The city currently is advertising to hire two new officers to replace Wendt and Holtz. The application deadline is early March with interviews and hirings to follow.
www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17831980&BRD=901&PAG=461&dept_id=130069&rfi=6
Wendt addressed the Harlan City Council Tuesday evening, a day after he and fellow officer Aaron Holtz, who recently were involved in alleged off-the-job hunting violations, were relieved of their duties. Both came to work Monday, Feb. 5 and were told they were no longer Harlan Police officers. Holtz did not attend the meeting Tuesday.
"Monday I came to work and they offered me a chance to resign my commission to work or be fired, and I'd like to know why," said Wendt.
Harlan City Administrator Terry Cox said the mayor, council and administrative officers of the city and police department came to the decision to terminate Wendt and Holtz's employment, but offered no specific reasons as to their termination. Officials did say they've been reviewing the situation over the last few months.
"They just don't work here anymore," said Cox. "We felt this was the best for the City of Harlan and police department. Things just didn't work out."
Among one of the reasons, however, could be recent charges filed against the two former officers.
Wendt and Holtz were charged following an investigation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources with cooperation with the Iowa State Patrol. The two were among six individuals charged with hunting violations in Cass and/or Adair Counties November 24, 2006.
Daniel L. Feistner, Cass County County Attorney, said Holtz was charged with two trespassing counts and pursuing deer with a motor vehicle. Wendt was charged with pursuing deer with a motor vehicle, two counts of trespassing, shooting from the roadway and failure to display plates.
Holtz will go to trial March 29 at 9 a.m. at the Cass County Courthouse in Atlantic. Wendt's trial on the charges in Cass County also is at 9 a.m. March 29. Trial on the charges stemming out of Adair County for Wendt has yet to be set.
A trial on the matter of seized property from Wendt during the investigation is scheduled for April 5.
On Tuesday, an angry Wendt begged the city officials to explain why.
"Some of you guys are business owners. Do you normally just let people go after four years, seven years, and not have a reason?," he asked. "That's what I'm here for. I want to know what led to that decision, and I think that's what I deserve."
Wendt hinted that he believes the city bowed to public presssure.
"If that's what you guys want to project for the City of Harlan, that if you come to work here you could be fired just because people's outcries are much more than you can handle," he said. "You guys got elected by these people, and obviously you're speaking for them, but you won't tell us why."
Wendt said it'll be tough to find a job in police work following his termination.
"You know how hard it is to get a job in this line of work when they call and say hey, why doesn't this guy work there anymore, and won't answer that question?," Wendt questioned. "And it's by no wrongdoing of us."
The city currently is advertising to hire two new officers to replace Wendt and Holtz. The application deadline is early March with interviews and hirings to follow.
www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17831980&BRD=901&PAG=461&dept_id=130069&rfi=6