A case regarding Wellington City Police Captain Chad Feichko was brought before the Police Officer Standard Training (POST) council on June 14. According to a representative of POST, Captain Feichko’s case came before the council in regards to an allegation while operating a motor vehicle.
The council discussed the matter of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. It was stated that during a routine stop, it was discovered that Feichko not only was not wearing his seatbelt, but had no insurance or registration for his vehicle. An open container was also found inside the vehicle. The baseline recommendation was a three-month suspension. However, one member of the POST council stated that it was not severe enough due to Feichko having prior charges and suggested a one-year suspension.
“I think the penalty should be enhanced,” the council member stated during the hearing. “Three months is not enough.”
The council made the decision to suspend Feichko’s POST certification for a one-year term. As such, Feichko will not be able to act as captain for the duration of the suspension. This suspension is not the first time that Feichko has been accused of misconduct. In 2009, Feichko was suspended for three years after engaging in sexual conduct while on duty.
In the past, Feichko has worked for the Price City Police Department as well as the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to losing the captain, Wellington City’s other acting officer, Duston Anderson, accepted a new position, leaving the city’s only two positions vacant.
Wellington City Mayor Joan Powell spoke on this, stating that the city is not without officers.
“Wellington is a trading ground; nobody is ever going to make a career here,” she explained. “One officer turned in his two week-notice and said he was going to go to AP&P (Adult Probation and Parole). Another officer resigned. With that said, I do not have acting police force with my own employed officers at the time; I have reserves. Not without law enforcement.”
Carbon County Sheriff Jeff Wood also spoke on the predicament, stating that the sheriff’s office has always assisted Wellington since the city has never had a 24-hour department. In the times when the city is busy or there is not an officer on duty, the sheriff’s office handles the situation. Sheriff Wood continued by stating that the office is happy to step up and help out in any way that they can and are able to handle any calls at any time.
“Don’t think for a minute that if there’s not a Wellington Police Officer on, there’s no police out there,” Sheriff Wood stated.