Granby Police Chief, fired for alleged alcohol abuse, threatening arrest for spreading rumor about him, asks court to give him back his job

Former Granby Police Chief Rico Engberg, Joplin, who was fired by the Granby City Council January 3 is asking for a judicial review and to get his job back.

In documents filed Wednesday in Newton County Circuit Court, Engberg, who is represented by Webb City attorney Wesley Barnum, says the council's decision, which came following a hearing showed "a vested interest in the plaintiff's dismissal rather than representing an objective and unbiased decision."

The decision, Engberg claims, violated "constitutional provisions," and was not supported by evidence.

The city's findings of fact, which were included as an exhibit in the court filing claimed Engberg was unable to perform his duties because of an alcohol abuse problem, acted in his own self-interest, did not attend City Council meetings, failed to provide mileage logs and trip logs and did not follow the requirement to use a time card.

Alleged alcohol abuse

Engberg and his fiance testified at his hearing that he was taking medication to curb his desire for alcohol.

There was testimony from Officer Anthony Abruzzo and Mayor Jamie Conway that they believed the chief was intoxicated when the chief made phone calls to each of them on different dates and times. Both of these witnesses outlined that they did not know with certainty if the chief was actually intoxicated.

Engberg's fiance said he was continuing to have a few drinks at night.

Allegations of acting in his own self-interest

The findings alleged Engberg threatened to arrest a woman if she "continued to spread rumors" about an incident involving the chief and the woman's mother. The incident is not specified in the findings.

Officer Abruzzo testified that rumors were circulating about Engberg's meeting with the woman's mother and that eventually, Engberg told Abruzzo, "I f--ked up. I lied to you guys," and told him the lie concerned him and the woman's mother.

The council's findings were that Engberg's threats to arrest the woman were acting in his own self-interest.

Engberg was hired as police chief in March 2023. He previously was a school resource officer for the East Newton R-6 School District and worked with the Newton County Sheriff's Office and Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force.

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