Informal hearing subcommittee approves multiple officer decertifications, defers several cases

An informal hearing subcommittee of the post commission met to consider multiple officer certification matters and approved decertification for four officers while deferring or resetting three other cases.

The panel approved requests to decertify officers after hearings that ranged from questions about truthfulness and on-duty conduct to training, equipment and personnel-safety failures. The committee also reset two hearings to the next informal session and accepted default decertification for three officers who were not present.

Why it matters: The subcommittee’s actions remove or suspend the affected officers’ state certification and can limit their ability to work in law enforcement in other jurisdictions. Commissioners framed many of the decisions around officer safety, credibility and public trust.

Key outcomes and hearings

Terry Wortman — decertified Terry Wortman (presented as Mister Wortman), a former investigator, was the first matter. The county submitted him for decertification following a resignation in lieu of termination. The panel heard testimony about discrepancies in Wortman’s statements to a preliminary hearing, and that the district attorney’s office and an NCIS investigator had been queried about dates and details of his military service. Chad Cox, an attorney representing Wortman, told the subcommittee Wortman had “fully cooperated” and characterized the error as a misspoken answer during a preliminary hearing. Cox said, “He wasn't trying to deceive anyone.” Commissioners concluded credibility concerns were sufficient to approve the decertification. Motion to approve was made by Commissioner Wilbur and carried unanimously.

Jeremiah Johnson — decertified after contested hearing Jeremiah Johnson of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office had a lengthy hearing after the sheriff’s…