NEWS RELEASE
DATE:
August 4, 2015
FROM:
Jacque Betz, c/o Judy Snyder, Law Offices of Judy Snyder
503- 228-5027, judy@jdsnyder.com
Note: The following is in response to reporters’ questions, to clarify the recent events involving
the Newberg city manager and the Newberg police chief.
On July 16, 2015, Newberg City Manager Jacque (JACKIE) Betz placed Newberg Chief of
Police Brian Casey on paid administrative leave in anticipation of an assessment of the police
department. Prior to this action, she consulted with Newberg’s city attorney and human resources
director and an attorney for CCIS.
City Attorney Truman Stone hired independent consultant Bill Carroll to conduct the assessment
of the police department. Carroll recently retired from the Oregon Department of Justice.
Prior to placing Chief Casey on leave, Betz advised the mayor and the president of the city
council. Betz was to meet with the city council the evening of July 20, 2015, to brief them on the
reasons for her actions. That meeting did not occur as Betz was placed on paid administrative
leave by the city council the morning of July 20, 2015.
After Chief Casey was placed on administrative leave, his command staff, Captain Jeff Kosmicki
and Captain Chris Bolek, prepared a memo which contained allegations against Betz based on
anonymous statements and speculation. The memo asserts Betz’ decisions were motivated by an
effort to protect a police officer from an internal investigation.
The police department has internal procedures to investigate any officer it believes has engaged
in misconduct. Betz has no authority or desire to influence that process.
The captains’ memo prompted a criminal investigation of Betz. That investigation has been
conducted and Betz was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.
Betz expects to meet with the city council to discuss the events that led to her decisions to place
Chief Casey on leave and to request an assessment of the police department. The city council
must also reconvene to discuss the date for the return of Betz to her position as city manager.
Betz is proud of the job she has done as Newberg’s city manager. She has carried out the duties
of city manager in a professional manner. Immediately prior to her decision to place Chief Casey
on leave, the city council had prepared a highly positive review of Betz first year and was to vote
on a 25 percent raise for her retroactive to June, 2015.
Betz is looking forward to the day she can answer everyone’s questions.
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