Newberg City Manager Put on Leave After She Put Police Chief on Leave

Serious questions are swarming after the manager put the Chief of Police on leave without notice.

Newberg City Manager Jacque Betz placed Chief of Police, Brian Casey, on paid administrative leave and is now on leave herself.

(NEWBERG, Ore.) - Jacque Betz is the City Manager for Newberg, Oregon, a town of less than 25,000 people situated about 30 miles south of Portland.

For reasons unknown, Ms. Betz placed Chief of Police, Brian Casey, on paid administrative leave last week. Casey's gun, badge and identification were taken from him and he was banned from city property.

The reasons, to our knowledge at this time, have not been made public. She announced her decision via email to city councilors last Wednesday.

Casey maintains his innocence and he's unsure of why the investigation is being undertaken, according to KGW.

"I'm not under investigation for any crimes, any misconduct," Casey said. "Why am I being put on administrative leave, stripped of my policing ability? It makes no sense to me."

Newberg Police Chief Brian Casey is fairly well known. He is the brother of Tim Casey, a deputy in the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office who ran for sheriff last year; the brother of George Fox University football head coach Chris Casey; and the brother of Pat Casey, head coach of Oregon State University's baseball team.

Since he was put on leave, there have been rising questions regarding the propriety of the conduct of the City Manager, Ms. Betz.

Sunday, Yamhill County District Attorney Brad Berry and Marion County DA Walt Beglau released the following statement regarding the status of Newberg-Dundee Police Chief Brian Casey:

"This past week, Newberg City Manager Jacque Betz placed Brian Casey, Chief, Newberg-Dundee Police Department, on administrative leave. The reasons for that move have not, to our knowledge, been made public.

"Since that time, witnesses and information have come forth raising questions about the propriety of the conduct of Ms. Betz, some of which may involve the violation of criminal statutes.

"As such, today, we have asked the Oregon State Police to conduct a complete investigation into the allegations. In light of the allegations, it would be irresponsible to do otherwise.

"Prosecution, if any, of a Newberg city employee would normally be handled by the Yamhill County District Attorney. However, since this also involves the Chief of Police and the conduct related to him being placed on administrative leave, Mr. Berry has asked Marion County District Attorney Walt Beglau to review this investigation and to handle any prosecutorial decisions from that investigation.

"This request has been made to avoid any potential conflict or the appearance of such a conflict."

Sunday afternoon, District Attorney Brad Berry told KATU, "I think it’s important to reiterate that these are allegations of conduct that may or may not be criminal, may or may not be policy violations, may or may not be an issue. That’s what this investigation is intended to figure out."

A special meeting was held at 7 a.m. this morning by the Newberg City Council to discuss controversial issues involving their city manager, police chief and other law enforcement system officials.

The shoe now seems to be on the other foot.

According to the News Register, the Newberg City Council voted, 5-0, Monday morning to place City Manager Jacque Betz on paid administrative leave, an action that includes "trespassing her" from City Hall.

City Attorney Truman Stone was named interim City Manager.

Sources: Bradley Berry, Yamhill County District Attorney and Walt Beglau, Marion County District Attorney; KGW; KATU; News Register.