
City parts ways with embattled officer
Jun 7, 2013
By Nicole Montesano
Of the News-Register
Embattled McMinnville police officer Tim Heidt no longer works for the city, the News-Register has learned.
City Attorney Candace Haines confirmed Friday that Heidt's employment ended Thursday. She declined to elaborate, saying, "As this is a personnel matter, I can't discuss in further under the terms of ORS 192.501(12)," and Chief Ron Noble was out of town.
The News-Register is in the process of preparing a public records request, arguing that in such a controversial and highly publicized case, the public interest in the workings of its police department outweighs the privacy right of an individual officer.
Heidt has been involved in two high-profile incidents in recent years — the beating of a bystander in a 2010 drunk driving stop and a drunken off-duty brawl in Seaside two years later.
The beating led to the filing of a federal lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages, predicated on use of excessive force.
According to a court filing confirmed by local officials, a settlement has now been reached. They have promised to release the terms as soon as opposing attorneys have finalized the details, in the interest of openness and transparency.
N-R subscribers see also: State blocked portion of Heidt discipline
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