Officer terminated, council meets in closed session
Humboldt Police Officer Susan Rutz has been terminated after being placed on paid administrative leave on Dec. 30, 2022. The termination became effective March 3, following an in-house investigation, according to Humboldt City Administrator Cole Bockelmann.
By KENT THOMPSON
Humboldt City Administrator Cole Bockelmann confirmed before Monday’s Humboldt City Council meeting that Humboldt Police Officer Susan Rutz has been relieved of her duties.
The action came on Friday, March 3, and was the result of an in-house investigation into actions by Rutz that prompted her being placed on paid administrative leave, effective Dec. 30, 2022.
Humboldt Police Chief Joel Sanders has not commented on the reason for Rutz’s suspension and subsequent termination. Bockelmann said he could not comment, other than to say Rutz is no longer employed.
At Monday’s Humboldt City Council meeting, Third Ward Councilman Joel Goodell moved to go into closed session at 5:51 p.m., with at large Council member Matt Dominick seconding the motion. Council members John Sleiter, Jeff Harklau and Kirk Whittlesey also voted in favor. The reason for the closed session was 21.5 (1) [c]: A governmental body may hold a closed session by affirmative public vote by either two-thirds of the members of the body or all members present at the meeting, to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that a presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.
The Council met with attorney Mary Funk with Nyemaster Goode PC, the city’s legal counsel for a period of 54 minutes. The Council took no action following reopening the meeting and then adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m., according to City Clerk Gloria Christensen.
Rutz’s rate of pay was $28.25 per hour. The gross pay for the administrative leave (including the accrued vacation and comp time payout) was $15,770.58 from Dec. 30, 2022 to March 3, according to city records.
Rutz was hired as a police officer with the city in January 2019. She began her duties as the school resource officer at the beginning of the 2019-20 school year in August of 2019. She previously served as the city’s recreation director and also served as the Chamber of Commerce director for a time.
Bockelmann said the Humboldt Police Department will begin searching for a new officer in the near future. The Humboldt Police Department has seven officers and a police chief.
