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Reluctantly, council OKs chief’s resignation
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · December 06, 2023
The West Branch City Council expressed regret Monday while accepting the resignation of Police Chief John “Kory” Hanna.
The council votes 4-1 on the agenda item.
Mayor Roger Laughlin opened that point of the agenda by saying, “on a sad note, a motion to accept the resignation of Police Chief Hanna?”
“If we vote ‘no,’ does he have to stay?” councilmember Nick Goodweiler joked while making the motion. “I know, but I still ask every time.”
Councilmember Jerry Sexton seconded the motion “regrettably” for the 17-year officer.
Councilmember Colton Miller clarified that anyone who has a generally negative view of policing should not have a negative view of the West Branch Police Department.
“The culture has nothing to do with our chief,” he said, “or the previous chief or any of that.”
Sexton said the community will regret losing Hanna.
“As a city and as a council, this is something that I don’t know anyone in this community wanted to hear,” he said. “You’ve been very well respected in this community. I can only imagine this was a really tough decision for you to make. But I would say if it doesn’t work out, please come see us again.”
“Will do,” Hanna said.
Hanna had said over the past several months that the shorthanded department meant extra hours and stress leading to burnout of him and the remaining officers.
The mayor and councilmembers each thanked Hanna for his service to the town.
“And thank your family for all of the things that they sacrificed while you were here helping us,” Miller said.
Councilmember Tom Dean was the last to be called on to cast his vote and he voted “no” since the measure already had enough votes to accept the resignation.
“Somebody had to vote no,” Sexton commented, prompting others to chuckle as well.
According to a memo by City Administrator Adam Kofoed, Hanna submitted his resignation on Nov. 28. His last full-time working date is set for Dec. 31 and he has enough vacation to get paid through Jan. 31.
“We’re going to miss you, Kory,” Laughlin said.
Hanna began working for the local police department in 2006. He is leaving to accept a position with Johnson County Sheriff’s Department.
“During his tenure, Hanna has weathered press and public distrust of the WBPD. He was a key contributor in turning the WBPD into the respectful department it is known as today.
“Hanna was well-known for his technical and administrative skills where (he) often dove in head-first to fix communications equipment, servers, and other technical equipment.
“Hanna pursued his consistent standards and well-trained law enforcement by securing a contract with Lexipol (a public safety management company) to bring all police policies up to 2023 standards and legal boundaries.
“Hanna is highly touted by First Amendment auditors across the nation as a prime example of how an officer should interact with a First Amendment auditor. The interaction was recorded in 2020 and has more than 137,000 views.”
Kofoed’s comment about the First Amendment auditor used a figure from a May 2020 Times article.
That video, “Cops Demand Answers So I ignored Them cops owned I don’t answer questions first amandment audit” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y1z_LSaC_U) is now up to 258,000 views.
The video has more than 1,100 comments, with many singling out Hanna with positive remarks.
“The PD officer did a great job honestly. Seemed cool headed and well trained. A very professional encounter,” read a comment left by @charlesholman2741.
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