Aurora Battalion Chief Reinstated Following 3-Month Suspension
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- Aurora Battalion Chief Chris Henderson is back at work after a three month paid administrative leave and the department is saying little about what led to the suspension or reinstatement.
"I cannot discuss Battalion Chief Henderson's discipline," wrote Aurora Fire Chief Mike Garcia.
He said Henderson returned to "full duty status" October 14. The department had placed Henderson, its highest ranking African-American member, on paid administrative leave in mid-July with no word on why he was put on leave in the first place.
Henderson did not respond to an email from CBS4 and has not returned calls, text messages or emails in the past. The Aurora Fire Department had an outside agency investigate Henderson over the summer. But the premise of the investigation- and the findings- are not being released.
In a prepared statement, Fire Chief Garcia wrote, "A thorough investigation was conducted and I am comfortable with the resolution of the matter. Beyond that, labor and employment rules do not allow me to share details of personnel matters, as is the situation in this case. Individuals are entitled to a certain measure of privacy according to the law, and the city honors that."
In February of this year, Henderson was demoted from Deputy Chief to Battalion Chief but that move was termed a "personnel decision" and little explanation was provided on why the department veteran was moved.
CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass has been with the station more than 30 years uncovering waste, fraud and corruption. Follow him on Twitter @Briancbs4.
