Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel had called for Police Chief Gideon Cody’s suspension following raids that included her home and the newsroom of a local paper.
The Marion, Kansas, police chief was suspended this week following a series of raids that included the office of a local newspaper and the home of the city’s vice mayor. Marion Mayor David Mayfield suspended Police Chief Gideon Cody on Thursday, according to the Marion County Record, the same newspaper that was raided.
The Marion Police Department confirmed the suspension on Saturday. The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The newsroom, its publisher Eric Meyer’s home, and Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel’s home were all searched on August 11, following Cody’s belief that a reporter had committed identity theft by accessing the driver records of restaurant owner Kari Newell, court documents previously released by the paper’s attorney revealed.
The chief had written in affidavits that “downloading the document involved either impersonating the victim or lying about the reasons why the record was being sought.” This led to the decision to carry out the controversial raids, which have drawn significant attention due to their impact on both local officials and the media.
The raids sparked public outcry, especially from members of the local press and residents who viewed the actions as an infringement on press freedom. Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel had previously called for Cody’s suspension, arguing that the raids were excessive and unjustified. The incident has raised questions about the balance between law enforcement actions and the protection of constitutional rights, particularly freedom of the press.
In response to the raids, the newspaper and its publisher Meyer have expressed concern over the actions taken by the police chief. The raid has been widely criticized as an overreach, with calls for more transparency and accountability from local officials.
The situation in Marion has prompted broader discussions about the relationship between law enforcement, local government, and the press. The suspensions and the subsequent investigations will likely continue to be a point of contention within the community.