Quincy police chief, captain terminated
Quincy residents fill city hall during the last city council meeting to discuss what they perceive as problems with the police department. A week later, the police chief and captain were let go from the department.
QUINCY - Quincy Police Chief Richard Ackerman and Capt. Gene Fretheim were terminated on Friday.
Mayor Jim Hemberry explained that both were at-will employees and served at the pleasure of the mayor, meaning that Hemberry did not need cause to fire Ackerman or Fretheim.
Hemberry declined to give any specific reasons for the decision.
The city council is holding a special meeting at 5 p.m. today to appoint an acting police chief.
Ackerman came under fire for the police department's handling of the criminal investigation of Officer David Andersen.
Andersen has been on leave since December pending the completion of a investigation into alleged perjury and official misconduct allegations, according to investigative documents obtained by the Columbia Basin Herald.
Andersen allegedly provided false information on a search warrant.
Quincy police held a town hall meeting on May 16 where citizens complained about crime in the city while others protested outside.
At the last city council meeting, about 40 Quincy residents packed city hall to witness the follow-up to the previous protest at the town hall meeting.
Marcelina Alvarez told the council she has lived in Quincy since she was born in 1968 and believes that crime has gone up. Her house was reportedly broken into in December, as well as other homes in her neighborhood.
Quincy City Councilmember Adam Roduner declined to publicly provide specifics on the issues, when Martin Dickson, a police volunteer, pressed Roduner for evidence.
Roduner asked Dickson if he had read the paper or listened to residents.
Dickson said that wasn't proof and he was seeking evidence.
Roduner motioned for a vote of no confidence in Ackerman and Fretheim and the motion passed 5-2. Councilmembers Tom Harris and Jeremy McCreary were the two opposed.
Ackerman and Fretheim did not attend the meeting. They were not available for comment Tuesday.
Hemberry will ask the council's permission to begin the process of finding a new police chief at the June 4 city council meeting.