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Embattled Henderson Police Chief Jutta Chambers is shown during the Henderson State of the City address at Green Valley Ranch Resort on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012. Chambers announced in a meeting with staff today that she will retire effective March 1, a city spokesman said.
By Aida Ahmed 
, Conor Shine (contact)
Published Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 | 11:04 a.m.
Updated Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 | 3:01 p.m.
Henderson Police chief steps down
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KSNV coverage of Henderson Police Chief Jutta Chambers retiring amidst scandal, Feb. 16, 2012.
Man kicked in the head by Henderson Police officer
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Video footage from a Nevada Highway Patrol dashboard camera of a Henderson Police officer kicking a man in the head during a traffic stop, Feb. 7, 2012. Warning: The footage contains material that may be offensive.
Henderson Police Chief Jutta Chambers may not have wanted to retire this soon, but a city buyout and state pension will ease her transition.
Chambers announced her retirement Thursday morning in a meeting with her staff.
Her retirement comes in the wake of criticism and calls for her resignation after a video was released last week showing a Henderson Police officer kicking a restrained driver in the head five times during an October 2010 traffic stop. The driver was suffering insulin shock.
Greene sued the state and Henderson. He and his wife agreed to settlements of about $250,000 from Henderson and $35,000 from the state.
Chambers, whose salary as chief is $185,326, is eligible to participate in the city’s latest employee buyout program, approved earlier this month by the Henderson City Council. Under terms of the program, Chambers’ buyout would be in the neighborhood of $206,700. Employees who accept the buyout will receive two weeks pay for each year of service with the city, plus three months of COBRA or retiree medical coverage.
A city spokesman said Chambers likely would participate in the buyout program.
Chambers also would be eligible for an estimated annual pension of $130,00 from the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System.
In a news conference Thursday morning, Mayor Andy Hafen said the Greene incident troubled the city council and that members asked City Manager Mark Calhoun, who announced his retirement earlier this week, to discuss the matter with Chambers.
Deputy Police Chief James White will take over as acting chief, and the new city manager will have the responsibility of hiring a permanent replacement, Hafen said.
Chambers joined the Henderson Police Department in 1983 and was the first female officer in the department’s history. She became chief of police in 2008.
Chambers has worked as a K-9 officer and an undercover narcotics agent for Henderson, and has worked or held supervising positions in every aspect of the department’s operations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration in law enforcement from Nevada State College. She also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Henderson - what a bunch of suckers. These elected people and those appointed by those elected are riding the gravy train.
Milking the people of Henderson. You want to have corrupt criminal badge holders employed - you'll have to pony up for their criminal conduct.
Well, that was quick. I don't blame her for what happened but the cop kicking the guy should have been fired..on the spot. Clearly he does not possess the mental and emotional traits needed to be a cop.
She gets nearly 60 weeks of pay for resigning? An amount in excess of $200,000.
As Dino used do sing, 'Ain't that a kick in the head'.
Sorry about the typo folks....TO SING....
When she SUES Henderson for getting FIRED !!! She will get about 1 to 2 MLLION Dollars of TAX PAYERS MONEY because Henderson FIRED her....and dont forget the Sick Pay and Vacation Pay and her Pension that the TAX PAYERS have to PAY....Why would you work ???If she can get a few MILLION DOLLARS for FREE from the TAX PAYERS of HENDERSON ???
The City Council of Henderson is nothing but a bunch of lackeys. While I am glad Jutta is leaving why aren't they calling for the head of that sleazebag officer?
I'm still laughing at Darthfrodo's comment.
There must be more to the story.
She resigned because obviously she realized that she wasn't qualified to do the job. She should have fired that officer and others for beating Mr. Greene. Of course if this hadn't come out in the news, she would have stayed in that position. Gotta love the internet sometimes.
pensions should be scrapped. everyone should have to put into a 401k just like i do.
I don't really want to defend Chambers, but it is possible that the union contract would not allow her to fire or even demote the officer involved. If that was the case, then action should be taken, if possible, if she failed to impose the maximum penalty she could have.
If that is NOT the case, then this is downright obscene and the city needs to look at "for cause" language in her contract.
"Chambers, whose salary as chief is $185,326..."
And that's most of the problem with our local governments -- they're oblivious with reality. And if you disagree you can just get kicked in the head.
And just think if there was no dash-cam....Must be nice to retire and get six figures for the rest of your life.
If this person is "retiring", why is there the need for a "buyout"?
Fire the cops involved in the beating too-They need to hit the skids.
This is the same Henderson City Council that hired Harry Reid's son by lowering qualifications for City Of Henderson Attorney Position-What A Joke!