Former Rigby Police Chief responds to ‘shocking’ termination

Former Rigby police chief Keith Hammon, who was terminated by Mayor Jason Richardson and the Rigby City Council Thursday night, has issued the following letter:

To the Citizens of the Community:

Last year the Mayor of Rigby proposed dissolution of the Rigby Police Department. Citizens of the community were overwhelmingly against the proposal and gave the Department a mandate to continue with the dedicated service they had come to expect over many years.

A new council took their seats in January, and we began to work as a Police Department and newly-elected officials to accomplish that directive; while attempting to implement the changes the mayor sought. I have felt that we were making progress working as a team for the advancement of the community andits law enforcement service. We have had good discussion and I felt we were beginning to build cooperation that would benefit the city.

I was shocked at my dismissal; and that an inexperienced council would take advice from a mayor with a relentless agenda.

I have always felt the support of this community that I have loved and served; and I extend thanks to each of you.

I know the Officers in the Rigby City Police Department will carry on in the professional manner that I have come to expect from them and have always demanded of myself.

Keith Hammon
Keith.hammon@gmail.com