Tulare Police Chief Wes Hensley is back on the job after a 16-month absence.
The return to the position he was fired from comes following mediation on Friday, January 10, before retired Tulare County Superior Court Judge Howard Broadman. The terms of the settlement between Hensley and the City of Tulare are confidential; however, Hensley will receive a $275,000 payment and has been given a three-year employment contract.
End of an ‘Ordeal’
Hensley’s reinstatement was announced following a closed session of the Tulare City Council on Tuesday night, January 15.
“The chief and I are both pleased his long ordeal has ended,” said Mike Lampe, the Visalia-based attorney who represented Hensley in his wrongful dismissal case against the city.
Hensley was placed on administrative paid administrative leave in September of 2017 and fired six months later in March. Two other Tulare Police Department command staff members–Capt. Fred Ynclan and Lt. Jarod Boatman–were also suspended and later returned to their positions.
Grateful for Support
Hensley was not immediately available for comment and is not yet back in uniform. He will return to work by month’s end. The reinstatement to his position, however, is immediate.
A message of gratitude appeared on Hensley’s Facebook page following his rehiring.
“Tonight was the end of a long and emotionally charged journey,” Hensley’s message reads. “It is difficult to put into words how much the support of friends, family, colleagues, officers and support staff helped me during this ordeal.”