City agrees to settlement with former officer
The city of Humboldt has reached a settlement with former Police Officer Susan Rutz after Rutz filed a grievance on being terminated last spring. Humboldt Independent file photo.
By KENT THOMPSON
The city of Humboldt has reached a settlement agreement with former police officer Susan Rutz. The action came after a 15-minute closed session at the conclusion of Monday night’s Humboldt City Council meeting.
Rutz was a Humboldt police officer for a period of three years and five months. She was placed on paid administrative leave on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. She was terminated on Friday, March 3, 2023, after an in-house investigation into Rutz’s actions and subsequent suspension.
Rutz, through Teamsters, Local 238 business agent Artie Jones, filed a letter of grievance following her dismissal, alleging that she was wrongfully terminated without just cause.
Under the settlement agreement, the city agrees to make a payroll check in the amount of $5,000, with all payroll taxes deducted to compensate Rutz for her alleged damages.
The settlement states no admission of liability on behalf of the city, the police department, any of its officers, agents, employees, elected officials, insurers or representatives, of any acts of discrimination against Rutz or that the city violated any federal, state or local law.
Read more about the Humboldt City Council in this week's Humboldt Independent. See official legal notifications of all public bodies in the county each week.
