The Rockwood City Council held a special session earlier today at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall to decide on the reinstatement or termination of former K-9 officer Charles Haubrich. Haubrich, who had served the city as an officer for 16 years, appeared before the council to request his job back after being terminated in November of the previous year. According to Police Chief Kelly Pittman, the termination stemmed from violations of department policies and procedures.

The incident originated from a traffic event on North Douglas Avenue in Rockwood, where a female driver was charged with vehicular assault after allegedly grazing a male pedestrian with her vehicle’s mirror and then fleeing the scene. She was later pulled over in Harriman by Harriman officers. Haubrich traveled to Harriman to follow up on the Rockwood case. Believing the woman might have drugs on her person—since he knew her—Haubrich’s subsequent actions, captured on his body camera, were reviewed during today’s hearing.

The body cam footage, played for the council, showed Haubrich suggesting that a female Harriman officer, Darby, search the woman for illegal drugs. Officer Darby reported checking the bra area, after which Halbrich instructed her to “go deep” and made a finger gesture implying a lower body cavity search. Officer Darby stated she did not feel comfortable proceeding. Chief Pittman presented the video, highlighting the gesture and audio, and explained that department policy prohibits such cavity searches (including in the vaginal area) during traffic stops. These must instead be conducted at a hospital or jail facility by female officers.

In his defense, Haubrich noted that the district attorney general’s office had reviewed the footage and concluded it did not violate policies or procedures.

After viewing the body cam video and hearing from both the chief and the officer, the council voted unanimously, 6-0, to uphold Chief Pittman’s decision to terminate Haubrich. All council members were present except for Council Member Anderson.

Following the decision, Haubrich announced he would proceed with the final step in his grievance process by appealing to the Rockwood Civil Service Board, where he will have his attorney present—something not possible at today’s session. Updates will be provided when that meeting is scheduled.