HEBER CITY, Utah-Per news released Monday, Heber City publicly thanked Wasatch County Sheriff Jared Rigby for the “professional and impartial” manner in which he handled a 2021 internal affairs investigation at the city’s request.
Heber City declared that because of an unfounded ‘use of force’ complaint against Heber City Police Chief Dave Booth in 2021, the city followed “accepted standard procedure in requesting an outside agency to conduct an internal affairs investigation” as to whether city policy was violated.
Only the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office, per the statement, was available to take this investigation upon its shoulders. Heber City declared several other outside agencies were contacted to assist in this matter.
Heber City stated its decision was based entirely upon the availability of resources.
Heber City stated Rigby “thoroughly and professionally” conducted the investigation.
The conclusion reached, Heber City continued, was the complaint of excessive force against Booth was not upheld by facts, video audio recordings and statements of witnesses.
The Juab County Attorney’s Office review and the Utah Department of Public Safety supported the criminal investigation of this matter.
Following the investigation, Heber City then requested Rigby offer voluntary follow-up discussions with employees involved in this incident.
The discussions were successively recorded so they could be open, transparent and maintain a public record of the events.
Heber City asserts Rigby served the role of an “impartial investigator as he had no supervisory or performance evaluation responsibilities” for affected employees.
Heber City extended “sincere gratitude” to Rigby for conducting the investigation and lauded his “continued exceptional leadership” as Wasatch County Sheriff.
