Sidney Police Chief Aikens Resigns After 42 Years of Dedicated Service

SIDNEY--A press release dated October 25, 2024 marked a bittersweet ending to a long career dedicated to the service of the Sidney community, as Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens officially resigned his position effective October 31, 2024. The announcement came after weeks of speculation regarding Aikens having been placed on Administrative Leave, but no reason for the leave was given by City of Sidney officials, nor was any time frame given for the completion of the investigation.

A press release issued by City Manager David Scott read as follows:

"A compliant was made on September 11, 2024, alleging misconduct by the Sidney Nebraska Police Chief. The Police Chief denies the complaint and all allegations made. After 42 years of service, the Police Chief has decided to resign his position with the City of Sidney effective October 31, 2024, to spend more time with his family. The Police Chief will receive all benefits to which he is entitled per city employee policy."

Joe Aikens started with the Sidney Police Department in 1982 as a dispatcher. He was promoted to patrolman in 1986, then moved into a command position with the department in 1991, and became Assistant Chief in 2001. He was named Interim Chief in March, 2013, when Sidney Police Chief Mike Brown announced his resignation from the department to return to his family in Kansas to tend to family members dealing with illnesses.

Aikens marked his 40th year with the department with a reception at the Cheyenne County Community Center on October 14, 2022. He is well-known and respected in Sidney, and the news of his being put on Administrative Leave sent shock waves throughout the community. Due to Civil Service procedures and privacy concerns, no statement was provided by the Sidney Police Department or the City of Sidney concerning the reason or reasons why Aikens was placed on Administrative leave. The announcement of Aikens' resignation did not include any details of the allegation made against the Chief, only that Aikens denied the compliant and all allegations leveled against him.

City manager David Scott said that Chief Aikens would be entitled to be paid out any vacation time or sick time he is due, as would any other City employee that resigned, was terminated, or retired.

The City of Sidney will now initiate the process of finding a permanent replacement for Aikens, following the Civil Service laws of Nebraska. Currently, Sidney Police Officer Sam Lovato is serving as Interim Police Chief. As per state law, the City of Sidney will post the job opening for four weeks, and then the Civil Service Commission will meet, interview, and test applicants for the job. The time frame for this process is based on the availability of the Civil Service Commission and could take anywhere from weeks to months, depending upon the number of applicants.