Selby takes leave from department

Interim Chief sworn in and on duty

 

IMLAY CITY — Imlay City Police Chief has stepped away from his position with the department and is on a leave of absence.

Mayor Barbara Yockey refused to comment on the issue, other than to confirm that it was her understanding Chief Selby is off work. She deferred all further requests for information to City Manager Craig Horton.

Horton spoke with the Tri-City Times Thursday morning and explained the situation, according to his understanding.

“Chief came in to my office and we spoke briefly and he requested a leave of absence. This is not anything myself or the city has done. He made the request. Since the leave was self-initiated, he will be allowed to use any (PTO) Paid Time Off he has accrued in his bank. There was not a long discussion. Just like any other employee, he was allowed to utilize whatever leave benefits available to him.”

According to Horton, the Chief has been off work since “around the middle of October, I believe” although he did not have an exact date.

The city manager anticipates the leave to be until at least the end of the year, if not longer.

“There really was nothing stated as to when he would be back,” Horton said. “It’s just my impression it will be until the end of the year, if not longer.”

Sgt. Sean Leathers and Detective Greg Hatfield have been filling in since the departure of the Chief but, Horton knows they also need to be on the road when needed, as well.

“They’ve been keeping things running smoothly,” he said of Leathers and Hatfield. “But, there is a lot of work to do, both in terms of responses to calls and administratively” Horton explained.

In an effort to lighten their load and make them more available for other police work, Horton said an interim chief was sworn in with the understanding, at this point, it is a temporary position.

“I had two people reach out to me concerning this. We did not contact anyone,” Horton stated. “A decision has been made to hire Charles Rushton out of Warren as the Interim Chief. He is aware of the situation and agreed to serve until this matter is handled.”

Horton gave a brief background of Rushton saying, “He just retired from the City of Warren where he oversaw 230 officers. He has 27 years of experience in law enforcement and understands this position is temporary. He knew of the opening and contacted us.”

The Tri-City Times reached out to Chief Selby who declined to make any comments at this time.