Humboldt police chief on way out

By

News

May 10, 2011 - 12:00 AM

HUMBOLDT — Dan Onnen’s days are numbered.
Onnen, Humboldt chief of police for 10 years, will be relieved of his duties, said newly elected Mayor Nobby Davis at Monday night’s city council meeting.
A new chief will be appointed at the June 13 council meeting, Davis said.
No reason was given for Onnen’s ouster.
The chief said he’s in the dark about why he is to be replaced and expressed shock at the decision and that it seemed “unfair.”
The mayor would give no further details beyond his statement to the media.
“I was advised by Fred Works (city attorney) on how to handle the matter,” Davis said, adding that he told Onnen nothing more than that he would not be reappointed.
The appointment and dismissal of a police chief is within the mayor’s duties, Davis said. According to information he obtained from the Kansas League of Municipalities, the decision is irreversible by the council, unless “I appoint someone who is not qualified,” he added.
Davis said he would not reveal his choice for a new chief until the June meeting.
Onnen said in a prepared statement that Davis had told him he had not found any fault with his leadership but that he wanted to take the police department “in a new direction.”
Onnen’s law enforcement career has spanned 24 years, including 14 in supervisory positions.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, city employees will face disciplinary action if they fail to wear seat belts  while operating city vehicles or equipment, according to City Administrator Larry Tucker.
State law requires seat belt use and it now is a primary offense, Onnen observed, meaning law enforcement officers may write citations without another reason for making a traffic stop.
Tucker said the Personnel Committee recommended a city policy to keep Humboldt free of liability issues that might arise if an employee weren’t using a seat belt and an incident occurred.
Initial discipline will be one-day suspension for a citation and conviction. Employees have grievance rights.
“We’re also concerned about employees’ health and safety,” Tucker said, adding that he thinks the policy will encourage wider use of seat belts.
Vote on the proposal was 7-1, with Sam Murrow deferring. Murrow said he was not opposed, but thought it would be better to have a complete driving policy, including speed limits.

COUNCIL members approved an amendment of the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, to change time limits for application. The decision came on appeal from Roger and Patty Mintz, who moved to Humboldt in 2009 and sought to participate in the tax abatement program after USD 258, which built the house they purchased, had failed to do so.
Council members agreed it was no fault of the Mintzes’ that they were excluded.
Through the revitalization plan they will receive a complete refund of property taxes, less 5 percent administration charges by the county, for six years, declining by 20 percent annually over the next four years.

Related
January 11, 2022
January 14, 2020
November 14, 2018
June 14, 2011