The issues surrounding the resignation that was and then wasn’t, and the later suspension of Medina Police Chief Jeffrey Chen will be subject to an independent review.

According to a release from City Manager Donna Hanson, an outcome will be found at the March 14 council meeting.

Mayor Bret Jordan said prior to the public comment period of the February City Council meeting Tuesday that citizens have inquired consistently about the circumstances surrounding Chen’s job status. The council wants to show transparency, Jordan said. But the privacy of an employee of the city is the first priority.

“That right to know as an entitlement ends where the lines of privacy of an individual begin,” he said. “We won’t cross that line until this matter is solved to our satisfaction.

Chen originally resigned on Dec. 17 with a hand-written note that he later rescinded on Dec. 23. Chen wrote to the City Council in a Jan. 27 letter obtained by the Reporter that he was being investigated for using a city email storage system improperly. He said he was investigating a city employee who was leaking important information. Chen wrote that when he came to Hanson with this information, she told him to keep it quiet. Hanson later pressured Chen to either resign from his post or take a suspension, he wrote. The Reporter requested a copy of Hanson’s response to Chen, but that was denied.

Full text of the release is below.

The City Council has heard and acknowledges the questions and concerns recently raised by members of our community regarding all aspects of the police chief’s employment status. 

The City is currently conducting an independent review of this matter. No decision has been made regarding the police chief’s employment with the City. Please be assured that the independent review will be fair and comprehensive. While it may take more time than any of us would like, a full review is more valuable in the long run.

The City Council anticipates and fully expects that prior to the March 14 City Council meeting, the investigation and review of this matter will be complete. In the interim, the City Council, its individual members, and staff will refrain from any public comment regarding this issue or the police chief.