North Liberty police chief cleared to go back to work

NORTH LIBERTY — Diane Venenga will return to work immediately after a three-month independent investigation found the North Liberty police chief had not violated any law, acted maliciously or failed to protect officers, North Liberty officials said Thursday.

Venenga was the subject of a no-confidence vote by the North Liberty Police Department Officer and Sergeants Union in March. Venenga, who is paid a $147,430 a year, was put on paid administrative leave until the investigation was completed.

The investigation was conducted by attorney Jason Palmer of Lamson Dugan & Murray of Omaha, Neb. Though his investigation found no malfeasance, he identified a need to significantly improve communication and rebuild trust within the department, according to a news release.

Venenga, in a statement, said she is committed to improving communication, rebuilding trust and changing the culture within the department to help the officers, staff and the community.

“I am committed to improving the culture within our police department to fulfill the mission of our department, which includes service and commitment to our community, and where public safety should always be the first priority,” Venenga said. “I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working with our officers to move the department forward in a positive direction.”

Mayor Chris Hoffman, City Administrator Ryan Heiar and members of the North Liberty City Council said in the statement they “remain committed” to Venenga and “any employees who will be involved in these improvements, including the police unions and police leadership, with the goal to grow a stronger department for the benefit of everyone in North Liberty.”

Nick Bergus, community relations director for North Liberty, said the Omaha law firm billed city $109,906 for the investigation.

Union grievances

In a statement Thursday evening, the union said members were called earlier in the day to a meeting with Hoffman, Heiar and Venenga and were told about the decision.

The statement said Heiar “promised to be ‘directly involved over the next 6 months’ to fix the environment” at the department. But while Heiar and Hoffman ”acknowledged that the trust between administration and the rest of the department has been ‘eroded’,“ Venenga did not, the statement asserted.

“It is our duty as your officers and sergeants to continue our transparency and to continue to honor our oaths which we have done,’ the union statement said. ”Although we do not agree with the decision made by the city of North Liberty, It is our promise to continue to provide you with the best service possible.“

The union, in a statement March 24, said the members believed the no-confidence vote was necessary after a “multitude of attempts throughout several years” had produced no results in correcting issues within the department.

The unions said a November 2017 survey outlined grievances and issues, and Venenga “vowed” to bring positive changes and improve working conditions. But no revisions were made and those who voiced questions regarding the situation “were often met with hostility and retaliation from Chief Venenga.”

The statement listed 16 grievances, including poor communications, hypocritical decision-making and enforcement of departmental policy and unsafe working conditions due to staffing and the inability to hire and retain officers.

“Despite our best efforts to work collaboratively and constructively, the leadership has consistently fallen short of the standards expected of a police chief,” the unions said in their March letter. “We believe that the continued tenure of Chief Venenga jeopardizes the integrity and effectiveness of our department and undermines public trust in law enforcement.”

The police chief reports to the city administrator — Heiar — who made the decision to put Venenga on leave, Bergus said in April.

Venenga was named police chief in September 2013 and has been with the department since it was formed in 1999. The department has 26 officers and sergeants.

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