City parts ways with embattled officer

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