Embattled Commerce City police chief Brian Hebbard is resigning, citing health concerns from stress following an investigation into his department’s performance.
Hebbard was placed on administrative leave in September pending the outcome of the investigation into dealings with the former city manager, Perry VanDeventer, who has also resigned.
Hebbard failed for six months to tell an investigative officer that Van Deventer admitted to him that his wife had been involved in an accident in December 2005. She allegedly hit a parked car while driving a city-owned sport utility vehicle and later VanDeventer paid $3,000 for damages.
Commerce City’s 90-member police union late last year called for Hebbard’s firing or resignation for ethical reasons.
The investigation into the conduct of the Commerce City police department is finished but no official report has yet been released.
In a verbal preview of the findings, an independent investigator cleared all current officers of wrongdoing, said Commerce City spokeswoman Heather Grady.
Hebbard, in a statement to the city, agreed he had made missteps.
“With the benefit of hindsight, he acknowledges that he should have take more immediate action to resolve the issues,” said the statement.
The appearance of impropriety and the stress led to Hebbard’s decision to take immediate retirement after 34 years in law enforcement. He has served as chief since 1998.
Deputy Chief Chuck Baker is serving as interim chief of police.
