Hatten Withdraws Termination Appeal

Former Manhattan Beach Police Officer Richard Hatten has officially withdrawn the appeal of his March 18, 2011 firing, according to City Manager Dave Carmany, and signed a "release and discharge" agreement. 

Carmany said the agreement, which was signed on Friday, Jan. 6, does not involve any monetary exchange between the parties.

Hatten was fired for fleeing the scene of an accident while off duty on Jan. 31, 2010. On August 2, 2011, and was sentenced to three years probation, 45 days of community service with Caltrans and fined $1,000, according to Paul Nunez, deputy district attorney. 

In addition to Hatten, on March 18, 2011, then Police Chief Rod Uyeda fired police officers Eric Eccles and Kristopher Thompson, who had been passengers in Hatten's 2005 Corvette and also left the accident scene, according to an . 

Hatten, Eccles and Thompson had been drinking at Grunion's Sports Bar before the accident, according to the investigation and left Grunion's to go to another bar to watch a game, reported Grunion's owner.

The traffic collision took place near the intersection of Manhattan Beach and Sepulveda boulevards.

The officers were placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation ensued.

"There is no evidence that indicates Eccles and Thompson aided, abetted or encouraged Hatten's actions in leaving the scene of an accident. The Vehicle Code does not place any responsibility upon passengers to return to the scene,'' wrote Deputy District Attorney Paul Nunez in a Jan. 12, 2011, charge evaluation worksheet. 

Police officers are required to give testimony in an internal investigation but , according to a retired police officer.

In them, they write, "I was forced to embarrassingly seek out Unemployment Benefits, and carry the shameful burdens imposed by society as no longer being a member of the working class, after Uyeda maliciously terminated me."

The two also write in their claims, "I have been referred to as 'Osama bin Laden' and as a member of 'Al Qaeda', in their daily discussions-in so far as to also contaminate my future potential employment." 

The city has not yet announced any action on the claims.

A statement from the city reads, "After a comprehensive inquiry by the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department and lengthy consideration of the facts, all three officers were dismissed in March 2011. At the time, City Manager David Carmany called the action 'a last resort' at the end of 'a very difficult process.'"

Said Mayor Nick Tell of the agreement between Hatten and the city, "After two years, we are happy to know that this matter is now behind us. We wish Richard Hatten all the best in the future."