Hubbard places top cop on leave

By Ed Runyan

runyan@vindy.com

HUBBARD

For the second time in five years, city Police Chief Martin Kanetsky has been placed on leave. Sgt. Lou Carsone was appointed acting chief Friday.

City council President Bill Williams said he saw Kanetsky on Thursday, and Kanetsky said he was on leave from his job.

Williams said he asked Mayor Richard Keenan about it, but Keenan told Williams he could not discuss the matter. Williams said he doesn’t know whether Kanetsky’s leave is paid or unpaid or what the reason is for the leave.

Keenan did not return a call from The Vindicator Friday night seeking comment.

Police Sgt. Bill Fisher said Friday that Kanetsky went on leave Thursday.

The chief previously was on paid administrative leave for 13 months from August 2005 through September 2006.

At the time, officials said it was because of an investigation, but neither then-Mayor Art Magee nor then-Law Director Gary Gilmartin would say why Kanetsky was being investigated.

When Kanetsky was asked in September 2006 why he had been placed on leave, he said, “I don’t even know why. The mayor saw fit to put me on administrative leave for 13 months. I’m sure he thinks he is right, but that doesn’t always make it right. The fact that we are both strong-willed is a part of it.”

Kanetsky and his attorneys have said the 2005 investigation was a means of retaliation over a workers’ compensation claim he filed against the city concerning health problems he had from mold he said was growing in the previous police station.