Fired Mattawa police officer not going quietly

MATTAWA - Police Officer John Ingersoll has been fired by the City of Mattawa, but Ingersoll is not going quietly.

In two separate actions, he is demanding he be returned to the job and be compensated $400,000.

Ingersoll, who was fired effective June 6, had been paid the previous year while never really working for the city. He was on administrative leave for a year while the city investigated misconduct charges.

The city has never stated what the investigation was about, claiming it couldn't reveal details of a personnel matter. Last week, Ingersoll's attorney, Steven Lacy of Wenatchee, said the investigation was of allegations Ingersoll's wife made after she filed for divorce.

"They were investigating allegations by John's wife of things she said occurred in their home," Lacy said.

Lacy added that neither he nor Ingersoll believe any findings regarding Ingersoll's personal life are legal cause for dismissal. He said there were allegations of "events that did not occur."

In a letter dated June 6, Lacy wrote to the Mattawa Civil Service Commission about Ingersoll's desire to remain on the force.

"Please be advised that my client, John Ingersoll, hereby appeals to the Mattawa Civil Service Commission his discharge by the mayor of Mattawa ... (and) ... hereby demands an investigation by the commission into such act by the mayor," Lacy wrote.

Last week, Lacy said the investigation would be of the city's investigation of Ingersoll and the firing process.

"The civil service commission is supposed to make sure the firing is proper, and we don't believe they did that," he said.

In the tort claim against the city that seeks $400,000, Lacy is following procedure before a possible lawsuit. If Ingersoll is not happy with the city's response to the claim, he has the option of filing a suit.