Collett keeping Hankins (3/12/04)

REDKEY — “Everybody’s on a collision course. There’s no doubt about it.”

That’s how an Indianapolis attorney described the situation here Thursday involving a Redkey police officer whose resignation was accepted March 6 by town council members against the officer’s wishes.

And while the resignation was supposed to be effective Thursday, the officer involved, Sgt. John Hankins, said he still intends to report for duty next week.

Redkey Marshal Brenda Collett said Thursday that despite a 4-1 vote by the town council Saturday morning to accept Hankins’ resignation, she intends to keep him on the duty roster as a full-time officer and town’s payroll indefinitely.

At Saturday’s special council meeting, Collett, who also serves on the council, cast the lone vote against accepting Hankins’ resignation.

Collett said Thursday, “According to state statutes, I (as town marshal) have the authority to hire and fire my deputies, and I told him he could remain.”

She added that Hankins is not scheduled to be on duty this weekend, but he is expected to report for a regular eight-hour shift on Monday.

Meanwhile, Hankins referred all inquiries about the situation to his attorney, John Ruckelshaus of Indianapolis. Ruckelshaus also serves as the general counsel for the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police.

Ruckelshaus said Thursday, that in his opinion, “Hankins is still a deputy.”

The officer told council members that he wanted to rescind his resignation before it became effective, but they voted to accept it, Ruckelshaus said.

However, Collett did not agree, and she has since written Hankins a letter, stating that he is still a deputy, Ruckelshaus said. “(Hankins) is still supposed to report to duty,” he added.

The Indianapolis attorney said that according to state law, “The marshal hires the deputies, and if the town board wants to dismiss a deputy marshal, they’ve got to give him a hearing.” This was not done in Hankins’ case, he said.

Ruckelshaus also said that it was his understanding that Hankins and Collett had both planned to resign in the past few weeks, but then changed their minds.

However, the council “singled him out,” voting only to accept Hankins’ resignation, Ruckelshaus said.

“It’s a big mess,” Collett said in a separate interview Thursday, adding that the other council members are no longer talking to her. “I haven’t seen or heard from any of them,” she said.

Several attempts Thursday afternoon and this morning to contact council president Violet Erlenbush were unsuccessful.

In response to an inquiry about the various parties apparently being on a collision course, Ruckelshaus said, “Hell, yes.

“Now the question will come up — (after March 11) will they pay him?”

Also Ruckelshaus said, “The marshal serves (in the position of marshal) at the pleasure of the board, and it’s going to be interesting” to see what happens next.

When asked about how these factors might affect her status as town marshal, Collett said Thursday, “The board (members) will do whatever they want.”

She added that Hankins would be working the late shift on Thursday night and into this morning.

Collett said it was her turn to work this weekend, being on duty or call from 6 a.m. Friday to 2 p.m. Monday. Sgt. Mike Daniels is scheduled to work from 2 to 10 p.m. Monday, and Hankins will be expected to report for duty at 10 p.m. Monday.

In addition to serving as a full-time Redkey officer, Hankins is also a reserve police officer with the Portland department. Hankins has been a member of the Redkey Police Department for a little over a year. He graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy last year.[[In-content Ad]]