FIRST ON 3: CB Police Chief suspended; faced lawsuit at former job

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The chief of police in Carolina Beach was suspended with pay Wednesday. Ken Hinkle has been chief since late 2013. Everyone is keeping quiet about just why Hinkle was suspended. We tried talking to Hinkle Wednesday night. He had nothing to say.

The town manager and the mayor of Carolina Beach both told us they could not comment because it was a personnel matter. They only said Hinkle was on non-disciplinary suspension, but would not give a reason why.

Carolina Beach’s personnel policy says the only reason for that kind of suspension is for a criminal investigation, an investigation into personal conduct, or ongoing civil litigation. Hinkle, though, doesn’t appear to have any ongoing criminal investigations or pending civil litigation.

However, before Hinkle came to Carolina Beach, he worked as chief in Obetz, Ohio. A court record search shows Hinkle and the Obetz Police Department were sued in federal court in 2011 by a former officer who claimed Hinkle was part of a hostile work environment.

Court documents say Hinkle screamed at the officer using profanity on more than one occasion. That lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice just weeks before Hinkle took over the job of Carolina Beach Police Chief.

The Carolina Beach Town Council met Tuesday night, and did go into closed session to discuss personnel matters. Mayor Dan Wilcox would not say whether that discussion was about Hinkle.