An independent investigation cleared the Commerce City Police Department of any wrongdoing in the handling of incidents involving former City Manager Perry VanDeventer.
But the probe does fault former Police Chief Brian Hebbard for not taking steps to resolve issues involving the city’s investigation of VanDeventer.
“Chief Hebbard has stated that missteps were made, and that in retrospect he should have taken more immediate action to resolve the issues and to avoid the appearance of impropriety,” attorney J. Andrew Nathan said. “Our investigation generally confirms these statements.”
Hebbard resigned last week, citing health issues from stress. He was placed on administrative leave in September.
VanDeventer resigned Aug. 31 over questions of preferential treatment by Hebbard and the Police Department while investigating driving incidents involving VanDeventer and his wife.
The city hired the law firm of Nathan, Bremer, Dumm & Myers to look into the allegations. The city Tuesday released a letter summarizing the results.
“It is our hope that the release of this report provides some closure for us, staff and residents,” Commerce City Mayor Sean Ford said.
The law firm retained former Denver Police Department veteran Tim Leary to investigate.
Leary interviewed 32 individuals, mostly current or former city employees.
Leary looked into two incidents involving VanDeventer – a December 2005 hit-and-run accident, and a suspected DUI.
The December incident began when VanDeventer and his wife, who was driving a city-owned SUV, were leaving a party at a council member’s home and struck a nearby vehicle, causing minor damage, according to the report.
It is possible the VanDeventers weren’t aware they were in an accident, Nathan said.
A police officer filed a report but because of a lack of leads, the case became inactive. VanDeventer eventually paid the owner of the vehicle.
In the fall of 2001, VanDeventer was pulled over by Commerce City police for erratic driving. But the officer did not see any signs of intoxication and told VanDeventer to drive more carefully.
