Allegation: Caldwell Cop Charged with 2 DUIs Brought Back Under ‘Shady’ Circumstances
By Greg Pruett • February 22, 2022This article is part of an ongoing investigative series from Idaho Dispatch regarding allegations of questionable hiring practices and corruption in the city of Caldwell. You can view the first article we did regarding the FBI’s investigation of two Caldwell Police Officers here.
In June 2017, Caldwell Police Sergeant Adam Matthews resigned from the police force after receiving his second Driving Under the Influence charge in just three days.
On one of Matthews’ DUIs, he tested at a .19, more than twice Idaho’s .08 legal limit, according to a report from CBS 2 news. Matthews advanced to the rank of sergeant within the department just six months prior to the DUI charges. The sergeant rank is considered a “supervisory” rank.
After Matthews resigned, Caldwell Police Chief Frank Wyant is quoted in a KTVB story as saying the following about Matthews’ resignation,
This is one [a DUI offense] that could affect a lot of people. You could change peoples world, so the severity is a little different than a inattentive (driving) or a speeding ticket.
Eighteen months after Matthews’ resignation, the city of Caldwell created a new position called the “Community Outreach Coordinator” for the Caldwell Police Department as a “non-sworn” position. Records reveal that sixteen candidates applied for the newly created post.
Matthews was ultimately chosen for the COC position by Wyant. For the next year and a half, Matthews held the position of COC before he resumed his role as a sworn police officer for the city of Caldwell.
Once Matthews resumed his role as a police officer, the position of Community Outreach Coordinator was dissolved and the duties were divided up among sworn officers.
Approximately eleven months after Matthews returned to the police force, he received his sergeant stripes back.
Sources Idaho Dispatch has spoken with, who have direct knowledge of Matthews’ return to the police force, said the way Matthews was brought back was “shady to say the least.” The sources did not wish to be named for fear of repercussions.
Here is a brief timeline of the events taking place:
- January 2017: Matthews was awarded the rank of Sergeant.
- June 2017: Matthews resigned after two DUI charges, one of them listed as “excessive.”
- January 2019: New position of Community Outreach Coordinator created, and Matthews picked for the job.
- July 2020: Matthews moved back onto the police force, and the COC position was dissolved.
- June 2021: Matthews obtains his Sergeant stripes.
Idaho Dispatch asked the City of Caldwell through a public records request who was responsible for picking the individual who would be selecting the applicant that would get the COC job.
The city told Idaho Dispatch that Wyant selected the hire for the COC position. When it comes to hiring individuals for a police department, former police officers tell Idaho Dispatch that the chief is usually the person who would select the winning candidate, whether it was for a sworn or non-sworn position.
Idaho Dispatch was informed through the records request that records did not exist for who was interviewed. In a follow-up question to Human Resources Director, Alyssa Battaglia, Idaho Dispatch asked for clarification on why records did not exist and whether interviews took place. Here is what Battaglia told us,
Interviews were conducted however, the interview materials were not retained after the interviews were complete and an applicant was selected for the position.
Additionally, in response to Idaho Dispatch’s records request, the city told us that the COC duties were divided up among other officers saying,
In July 2020, this position went away and some of the tasks within the position became a special assignment for sworn Officers, similar to the special assignment of a School Resource Officer.
Idaho Dispatch has reached out to Wyant to ask he felt Mattews was the best choice for the job, why the position was dissolved after Matthews moved back onto the police force, and for a comment on the allegation that the re-hiring of Matthews was “shady” and a “ploy to bring Matthews back quietly.”
At the time of Matthews’ resignation, Wyant told KTVB,
All officers are human beings dealing with their own issues – they’re not just a badge and a gun. Sometimes they make bad choices, and there are consequences.
What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments below.
Note: Thumbnail image from Caldwell PD Facebook page. Idaho Dispatch added the circle for identification purposes. The officer on the left is Adam Matthews. The officer on the right is Lt. Joey Hoadley.
Tags: Adam Matthews, Caldwell Police Department, Community Outreach Coordinator, DUI, FBI, Frank Wyant, Joey Hoadley
33 thoughts on “Allegation: Caldwell Cop Charged with 2 DUIs Brought Back Under ‘Shady’ Circumstances”
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I appreciate your diligence in following this. While I understand there are challenges working as a police officer (I’ve worked on that side of the badge before), there have to be lines and consequences for crossing those lines. While I only know what you have reported, I agree that someone should be checking into this a bit further. It has that peculiar ‘odor’ that most of us recognize.
Thank you, this has taken a lot of courage to both detail and disclose. Know you’re appreciated, keep up the excellent work.
Ban the Blue we already have too many criminals running rampant in Idaho.
Ban the blue? You’re not seriously saying to get rid of police altogether, are you?
What’s your facts say? What’s the facts behind your premise to make such an accusation? Surely you must be prepared with DATA to make such a comment!
The article is nothing BUT data, you dimwit. The timeline is factual and the DUI’s are on record, as is the creation/dissolution of the so-called “Community Outreach Coordinator” position.
Ban the blue? Your nuts
They are a crime gang.. who do they serve?
Themselves
This situation gives off a rank odor. Nothing Wyant can say will remove the taint of favoritism clearly shown to Matthews.
The town leaders should demand a full explanation of Wyant’s decisions.
Sounds like Wyant needs to go too, immediately.
Our politicians and government employees are a crime gang. Get the government employees unions out of Idaho, if you want to clean up the corruption.
There is no Police union in Caldwell.
Just like Boise City selects its favorite leaders for its police force, other towns play the same game. Where did the concept of merit go? Caldwell and Nampa enjoy conservative leadership values and these incidents of compromise don’t help maintain that framework. With that being said, I probably would still trust Caldwell’s police leadership much more than Boise’s, since Chief Lee et al were brought in for a long term political agenda to make Boise another Portland.
Boise already is Idaho’s Portland Oregon
Why did Wyant bring Mathews back on the department after the DUIs? The second DUI was a short time after the first one making it a felony. Mathews’ POST certificate should have been pulled, by Idaho law he was ineligible for a sworn position. Does Mathews have dirt on Wyant? This needs to be investigated by a higher authority. Wyant needs to be fired.
Obviously there’s another H.H. In cyberspace. I’m the one who knows the players here. The Chief is one of the nicest people in town, very charismatic, very likable. But I think he screwed up here. I’ve seen others Lose their jobs there for doing much less. The double standard here stinks. No one can second guess this situation. But something is just not right with it. I wish all involved an open and honest investigation. Don’t anyone jump to conclusions.
Good story and good to know.
Has Matthews overcome his addiction? Is he being monitored for alcohol use?
Everyone deserves a chance to rehabilitate their behavior, but with these serious offenses, and the obvious favoritism shown, a little diligence is required by the force.
It would be nice if our politicians, which are what chief of police really are, were ethical. Problem is people like Chief Lee are chosen by the Mayor and if he KA’s to the mayor then his job is safe.
All politics matters and the city council of Caldwell should answer to the public. How many of us would get a second chance from Chief Wyant?
I find this very disappointing and disturbing that you would use your platform in an attempt to disgrace and humiliate one of CPD’s most amazing officers I have ever known.
This article left out that after serving this community over 20 yrs and 1 more funeral, 1 more death of a friend/coworker, Adam had a 1 week breakdown where all of this came about.
You chosen to take the most negative path rather than acknowledge his achievements in recovering from all of the trials, tribulations and struggles that he overcame. I’m not in law enforcement, I don’t think I have the perseverance it would take to get up every day and go again. How many of you have seen loved ones, friends like family die as a result of just doing their job? How many of you go to sleep after seeing abused children, animals and death? How many of you would run into a home, business or school to save strangers.
After 20+ years of this you might struggle to. One of the most inspirational story I have seen in my lifetime is how Sergeant Matthews overcame, recovered, turned to God and completely turned his life around EARNING every position and promotion he was has been awarded. Adam Matthews has served his city with honor and dignity. I’m proud to call Adam my friend and have him protecting my community.
Anyone who feels they can open their closet and let all of their skeletons out to be displayed from only a negative prospective for public comment & display have at it.
Thank you Sgt. Matthews for inspiring all of us that truly know you and showing your strength to overcome anything.
Would you be saying this if Sgt. Matthews had killed one of your loved ones in a DUI collision? How many citizens, that Sgt. Matthews is supposed to protect…endanger while he was driving drunk…two times? Sorry, not everyone is qualified to be a police officers and choices have consequences. He made bad choices and therefore should no longer be a police officer. It’s that simple.
I wish there was a “like button” for your comment. Everyone deserves second chances. I realize that there probably are things going on that aren’t on the up and up but first responders have extremely tough jobs that I could never do and they don’t get paid enough to do them. There will always be good and bad in every profession and I will ALWAYS back the blue.
Are you kidding me Joey hobley and Ryan been to walde both made over $85,000 a year and that’s not enough to do what they have done to this community
Kathy, your bias and lack of critical thought is apparent. Police are given broad discretionary powers and are expected to be an example for their communities, above and beyond what is expected out of the average citizen, because of that power and authority granted them.
This entire affair reeks of “good old boy” syndrome and paints the entire Caldwell PD and Caldwell government as a whole with a bad stain, and if you truly cared about the reputation of police as a whole, and Matthews as an individual, then you’d also be demanding accountability and transparency in the rehiring process, instead of obfuscation and dishonest dealings.
When I was promoted to my current position at my job, it was to replace someone who got a DUI. He wasn’t a police officer, he wasn’t a public servant or even employed by the public. He worked in a position that contracted with the local government, and the company felt that his DUI status damaged his work in the area.
So a private citizen is fired from a job, but a police officer, someone who is supposed to have the public’s trust is somehow exempt? Life happens to everyone. We expect more from those that want to work in public service. This officer should be fired, and a full investigation should be underway.
The movie Serpico comes to mind.
This exemplifies that corruption is very much alive and well in Caldwell. In all forms of government. You’ve done an excellent job of covering this situation, but it’s kind of a waste of your time and limited resources trying to prove the obvious. Especially when not a damn thing will change. He will keep his job, and the chief will go right on with his antics.
The Caldwell race soldiers (PD) will never be held into account so long as the rest of the community (white folks) tolerate and excuse the over policing and unjust targeting and exploitation of the brown community.
The entire town needs to take a moment to self reflect. We are all decent, hard working, country folk, with mostly conservative values; white and brown folks alike.
GREAT REPORTING. Thank you.
Now that’s a hit piece. Who stands to gain who stands to lose?
He should of been ban on his first DUI offense from any law enforcement position. Something doesn’t add up.
And now there is news that the offices of both Chief Wyant Sgt Matthews have been cleared out. Maybe there something to this story after all. I look forward to more updates. Thanks ID
I LOST A SISTER TO DRUNK DRIVING WHEN WE WERE TEENS SO I KNOW FIRST HAND THE IMPACT THAT GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL INTOXICATED CAN DO. I MYSELF HAVE DONE IT AND AS IM SURE MOST PEOPLE HAVE. WITH THINGS LIKE ADDICTION I THINK THAT EVERYONE WHO ADMITS IT TAKES ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRUELLY EXPRESSES THEIR GENUINE APOLOGIES DESERVES OUR FORGIVENESS AND A SECOND CHANCE. HOW CAN WE ASK GOD FOR OURS IF WE ARENT WILLING TO GIVE IT TO OTHERS. I AM NOT SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH ADAM BUT AT LEAST HE CAME FORWARD AND HOPEFULLY USED HIS EXPERIENCE TO NOT JUDGE OTHERS AND WAS ABLE TO HELP THEM MORE ON A PERSON LEVEL AS GOD ASKS OF ALL OF US WHEN WE HAVE WENT THROUGH SOMETHING AND THAT IS TO HELP OTHERS IN THEIR TIMES OF STRUGGLE. SURE HE WAS AN OFFICER BUT IF YOU THINK THESE MEN AND WOMAN ARE PERFECT THAN IT SHOWS THEY DO TO. THAT IS WHY THEY HIDE BEHIND THESE HIGHER UPS WHO HELP THEM COVER UP THEIR CORRUPTION. IVE READ WHAT PREVIOUS EMPLOYEES SAY MOST OF THEM ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR JOBS IF THEY DONT FOLLOW THIS HERD AND IM SURE IT BECOMES A LEARNED BEHAVIOR. THAT IS A SHAME THAT FOR ONE THEY CANT BE AUTHENTIC WITH THINGS THAT PLAGUE ALL OF US AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES BUT THAN BECOMES HIDDEN AND IN RETURN IS FOLLWED WITH THE IDEA THAT ANYTHING THEY DO WILL BE COVERED UP AND AS A RESULT TURNS INTO A POWER OF THE EGO AND THEN ALL WE HAVE ARE A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITICAL LAW BREAKING CORRUPT POLICE. ITS SAD THAT THESE OFFICERS AND PEOPLE WITHIN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE RETIRED OR POST ANONYMOUSLY ONLY AFTER SUCH MISCONDUCT IS EXPOSED. SO HOW WHEN IS IT THAT WE CAN APPRECIATE AND COMMEND ANYONE THAT AT ANYTIME COMES FORWARD ABOUT SITUATIONS THEY BELIEVE ARE UNJUST AND THEIR VOICE IS ACTUALLY HEARED INSTEAD OF BEING SHAMED AND RETALIATED AGAINST. THE OFFICERS AND THE COURTS OF CANYON COUNTY IN A WHOLE ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST GROUP OF CRIME COMMITTING CORRUPT INSTITUTIONS I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED THEY DO WHAT THEY WANT WHEN THEY WANT AGAINST WHOMEVER THEY WANT. IM SURE SOME STARTED WITH THE IDEA THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A GREAT OFFICER BUT WITH THEIR JOB ON THE LINE AND THE WORRY OF REPROCUSSION S OF COMING FORWARD IN NO TIME IM SURE THAT GOOD APPLE TRADED IT ALL IN TO SECURE THEIR PLACE WITHIN THE HERD AND NOT ROCK THE BOAT. CAUSE THE PERCENTAGE THAT DO AND THE CHANCE THAT THEIR LIVES ARE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED IS FAR MORE THAN OTHER. WHAT NO ONE CARES TO HEAR IS JUST HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE SITTING IN PRISON OVER CRIMES THEY DID NOT COMMIT JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE SUFFERING FROM AN ADDICTION THEY WERE HIDING BECAUSE OF JUDGEMENT OR BECAUSE THEY DECIDED TO HAVE A VOICE AND SPEAK UP ABOUT THESE INSIDIOUS ACTS COMMITED BY THESE BULLIES. SO NO I DONT BELIEVE ITS A BAD THING THEY HIRED HIM BACK HOW THEY DID IT IS ANOTHER STORY BUT HOW THEY DO EVERYTHING IT SEEMS IS ALWAYS DONE THE CANYON COUNTY WAY AND THAT IS THE GOOD OLE BOY WAY. SOME INSIDE JOB INVENTED BY THE LONG LOST OF CORRUPT AND UNJUST MEN AND WOMAN WHOS BEEN HIRED ON BY GENERATIONS OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND WILL STAY THAT WAY UNTIL THERE ABOVE THE REST AND ABOVE THE LAW MINDSET IS REPLACED BY OTHER OFFICERS AND MUNICIPALITIES WHO ARE WILLING TO STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE AND WHO ACTUALLY TAKE THEIR DUTIES TO SERVE AND PROTECT SERIOUS. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE GOD IN THEIR HEART. “IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING” AND IF YOUR RETIRED AND DO IT ANONYMOUSLY WELL IN MY OPINION YOUR NO BETTER THAN THEM.