Hibbs
Columbus Board of Public Works members have approved findings of fact from a closed session last week involving disciplinary action taken against a Columbus police sergeant who was accused of refusing to comply with orders from supervisors related to an investigation into officer wrongdoing.
The board voted 4-0 on Tuesday to accept findings of fact regarding an incident involving CPD Sgt. Kelly Hibbs, 43, that resulted in board members accepting a recommendation last week from the city’s police chief to demote Hibbs from his rank as sergeant but retain him as a police officer.
The findings of fact state that Hibbs refused to comply with an order from two supervisors to review a body-worn video of a subordinate officer on Feb. 14.
CPD spokesman Lt. Matt Harris told The Republic that the video in question involved an allegation of officer wrongdoing that was later investigated and determined to be unfounded.
The findings of fact further state that Hibbs was given “several opportunities” to comply with orders from his supervisors. He also acknowledged to a CPD lieutenant that he understood that he was violating a direct order from a superior and that “there would be consequences,” according to the findings of fact.
Columbus Police Chief Mike Richardson informed Hibbs on April 17 that he would be recommending that Hibbs be demoted from sergeant to the rank of police officer. Hibbs notified Richardson that same day that he intended to appeal the recommendation.
Last week, the board held a four-hour closed session to hear Hibbs’ appeal. After the session, the board voted to accept Richardson’s recommendation and Tuesday, approved findings of fact in the appeal.
CPD also took disciplinary action against Hibbs a year ago, issuing him a written reprimand for sending an “inappropriate computer message,” Harris said.
Richardson made the recommendation based on Hibbs’ past discipline and concerns about “the larger effect that insubordination would have on the department, especially the insubordination from a sergeant.”
“Insubordination can cause irreversible damage to the department as it is critical for public safety that officers follow the direct orders from the superior officer,” the finding of facts state, referring to the Richardson’s rationale for making the recommendation.
Hibbs is a South Bend native and was hired by CPD in June 2014, according to coverage by The Republic at the time. He previously was a police officer with the South Bend Police Department and had been deployed to Iraq twice as of 2014.
