Suit against police chief allowed to proceed

A Mendocino County Superior Court judge ruled Friday that the Ukiah police chief and the county must stand trial in a domestic abuse case brought by the chief ’s former fiancee.

Amanda Carley, a onetime Mendocino County deputy probation officer, filed suit against the county and Chief Noble Waidelich in 2017 after years of alleged domestic abuse. Waidelich, who had received two officer-of-theyear commendations, was a detective at the time.

Even though he was being sued for alleged domestic violence, Waidelich continued to be promoted in the city’s police department.

When police officials first found out about the abuse allegations, Carley denied it. Two years later, when Carley’s daughter told her school counselor about the abuse she had witnessed, the Sheriff ’s Department opened a criminal investigation into the allegations.

Carley said she downplayed the abuse until she moved out of the house the couple had bought together and felt safe enough to disclose it in full detail.

But when she finally reported it to law enforcement, the county decided to separately investigate Carley for deceit — the basis on which her probation department supervisor demoted her and confiscated her gun.

During that time, Waidelich was promoted to sergeant. He was not questioned by the Sheriff ’s Department.

In the complaint, Carley brought 13 causes of action against the defendants: Waidelich for domestic battery and the county for unjust retaliation.

Waidelich and county attorneys had argued in recent weeks that Carley and her attorney had allowed the case to languish. They also said that the Sept. 26 trial date set by Superior Court Judge Jeanine Nadel did not allow them enough time to prepare.

Nadel rejected those arguments, saying the defense had not moved forward with the case either, said Carley’s attorney, Richard Freeman.

Attorneys for the county and Waidelich could not be reached for comment.

“I just want to be able to present the facts and the truth and let the cards fall where they may,” Carley said. “That’s all I’ve asked for, and the judge has given us that opportunity.”