After an investigation lasting over a year into misconduct by Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement has issued an official reprimand on his peace officer license.
TCOLE launched the investigation into Hayden’s office on June 7, 2018, after Hayden and his deputies allegedly falsified documents claiming they completed required civil law courses. Hayden and his chief deputy Barry Welch allegedly did not take the mandatory classes by the deadline and are also accused of falsely claiming they administered training to other officers.
TCOLE initially intended to suspend Hayden’s license; however, after an appeal, they determined that while Hayden was responsible for his office’s failure to properly report required training and deserved a reprimand, it did not warrant a full suspension since he has corrected the errors and instituted policy changes.
A person who has previously received two written reprimands from TCOLE is subject to suspension or further disciplinary action.
The reprimand, issued October 18, 2019, stated:
“As the chief administrator, you are responsible for ensuring that all reports and documents required of your agency are accurately and timely submitted to TCOLE. See 37 Tex. Admin. Code § 211.29(a). Our investigation revealed that your agency failed to properly account for and report credit for legislatively required continuing education, including reporting requirements related to meeting the established length of the course.”
Over two months after TCOLE found Hayden responsible for his agency’s reporting problems and issued him a reprimand, Hayden, who is currently running for re-election, issued a statement asserting “there was no wrongdoing on my part.”
“Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, I have not attempted to publicly discredit the claims made against me regarding an alleged error in reporting training hours that occurred in 2017. However, TCOLE recently completed its investigation, and found that there was no wrongdoing on my part, and no one in my office will face suspension.”
Hayden also stated that he is appealing the reprimand.
Letter of reprimand issued to Hayden on October 18, 2019.
Hayden’s statement on December 30, 2019 in response to the reprimand.
