Commission denies former asst. police chief's appeal

RONAN — The Ronan Police Commission voted against an appeal for reinstatement by former Assistant Chief of Police Art Walgren, Monday.

Walgren was released from his duties in September by Ronan Mayor Kim Aipperspach at the recommendation of Police Chief Dan Wadsworth. In November, he exercised his right to appeal that decision to the city’s police commission.

In a well-attended public hearing at the Ronan City Library, Walgren and his lawyer maintained that the discharge was wrongful; Art was a good officer and his officers needed to be held accountable for their actions, as he was; and the reasons for his discharge are “for lack of a better word, bogus.”

The city, represented by attorney James Raymond, said the reason for termination was a combination of things that were expressed in a letter from the police chief to the mayor last fall. What it boiled down to, Raymond said, was trust. Several members of the department had previously submitted a vote of no confidence in Art’s ability to lead, and while Raymond said that specific procedure was not mentioned in the personnel manual, it was “indicative of the work environment” and pointed to Art’s inability to “get along with co-workers.”

“The bottom line is trust and it is a necessary part of them being able to do their jobs,” he said to the commission.

During the meeting’s public comment period, and remember, none of the audience members were under oath, speakers referenced personal altercations with Walgren and stated their displeasure with his management style.

“I found him to be disruptive; I found it to be a hostile work environment,” Beth Bartholome, retired member of the Ronan Police Department, said.

Another former officer agreed, saying he “created an intolerable working environment,” a statement again echoed by a current member of the city staff who said, “It has been a relief the last few months. It’s the first time we’ve all gotten along since I’ve been here.”

According to Wadsworth, officer Troy Rexin has been promoted to the position of sergeant, and the assistant chief position has been eliminated from the department’s payroll.