City of Ukiah fires UPD Chief Noble Waidelich
The city of Ukiah announced Friday that it officially fired former Ukiah Police Chief Noble Waidelich, who is currently being investigated by the Sonoma County Sheriff's office after a report of undisclosed criminal conduct was reported to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office on Monday.
“It is with great conviction that I uphold the city of Ukiah's values of service and professionalism as I make the decision to terminate Mr. Waidelich from the agency,” Ukiah City Manager Sage Sangiacomo was quoted as saying in a press release emailed Friday afternoon. “Recent events have transpired, illuminating the fact that this individual is not a good fit for the city. Our community deserves better; the good men and women who do this work every day with integrity deserve better.”
Sangiacomo explained that while Waidelich “is named in a criminal investigation in which the city of Ukiah is not the lead agency, we are acting swiftly and decisively with respect to his employment, as Waidelich was also in violation of police department policy separate and apart from the accusation and ongoing investigation of criminal conduct. He was placed on administrative leave within hours of learning of this incident. His weapons, vehicle, and badge were taken away at that time. Within three days, he has been notified of his termination from city employment.”
Sangiacomo continued, “We appreciate that the public wants details and that it is frustrating to be left in uncertainty. Per the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, and consistent with our legal system, the details of the criminal
allegation cannot be shared at this time. To do so could potentially compromise a fair and timely outcome.
The city is also precluded from sharing employment records concerning its decision to terminate Waidelich at this time. The city will continue to share information as it becomes available.”
The Ukiah City Council added an “urgency item” to its Closed Session agenda at the beginning of its Wednesday meeting to disclose the “discipline, dismissal or release or a public employee,” but no further details about the matter were disclosed by Sangiacomo Thursday.