Phillip M. Bailey

@phillipmbailey

Former Louisville police Officer Kenneth Betts, who was indicted this week in a sex abuse scandal involving the department's Youth Explorer program, has been working as a code-enforcement officer in Rolling Hills.

But residents of the small suburban city are raising concerns about his continued employment, according to Philip Jaeger, mayor of the small suburban city just off Westport Road near Hurstbourne Parkway. The city's five-member council will hold a closed-door executive session after their regular meeting next Tuesday to discuss the situation, Jaeger said.

"Whenever anybody hears anything, especially pertaining to children, of course, that's going to raise some red flags," he said.

Betts was indicted this week along with former Officer Brandon Wood in relation to the sex abuse scandal in the Louisville police department's Youth Explorer program, which is for teens interested in law enforcement. Both Betts and Wood, former Explorers before becoming officers, had worked as advisers with the program.

Previous coverage

More: Chief fires Officer Brandon Wood, indicted in police sex abuse scandal

More: Louisville police officers indicted in sex abuse scandal

Betts was indicted on two counts of sodomy, one of which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years. Brandon Wood, who was fired by Chief Steve Conrad on Thursday, was charged with seven counts of sexual abuse, each punishable by up to five years in prison.

Betts resigned in 2014 following an investigation into possible "improper contact" between him and a teenage girl in the Explorer program. The investigation was closed by Police Chief Steve Conrad after the resignation.

Jaeger said Thursday evening that Betts earns about $20 an hour and works about five hours a week patrolling Rolling Hills, which has about 400 homes under its jurisdiction, to ensure residents are in compliance with local ordinances. Betts has the power to fine homeowners.

Asked if Betts' job puts him in contact with minors, Jaeger said it would in passing but that it's rare for Betts to stop or cite a resident under the age of 18.

Jaeger said he has received numerous calls about Betts' employment from residents.

"I'm not going to go into what the citizens have said, but there has been a lot of concerns, and I hope those residents voice those concerns to the rest of the commission," Jaeger said.

Read more:

Louisville police sex-abuse case unsealed by judge

Cop visited children's hospital amid misconduct probe

FBI opens criminal investigation of Youth Explorer program

Ex-Explorer says she questioned cop's behavior

Attorney Brian Butler, who is representing Betts in the criminal case, declined to comment for this story.

Rolling Hills Commissioner Janet Mattern said Betts has worked for the city of Rolling Hills since at least January 2015, when she was first elected.

"Whenever he does city meetings, he's professional and comes prepared to give reports," she said. "I don't have a concern" based upon those interactions.

Mattern said it was about six months ago when residents first brought up news reports mentioning Betts as being part of an investigation into alleged sexual abuse related to the Explorer program.

The Courier-Journal was first to report that a lawsuit filed in early March accuses Betts and Wood of raping a former Explorer in their homes and police cruisers — starting when the Scout was 17 years old and continuing until he was 19 — and recording it to make pornography.

Mayor's pick for sex-abuse investigation: No fear or favor

Hearing set on motion to unseal sex-abuse lawsuit against police

Louisville police take down Explorer website amid sex-abuse scandal

Mattern said it was surprising to hear the allegations about Betts and shocking to learn of the indictment.

Betts was described as a rising star in the Louisville police department by many who knew him closely. He was honored as Explorer of the Year before joining the department, and he had numerous commendations in his personnel file.

After resigning from Louisville Metro Police, Betts worked briefly as a reserve officer for Audubon Park and opened a concealed-carry firearms training business.

According to his online business profile, Betts said he was local manager of safety and security for eBay in Louisville, leading a team of 24 people. The California-based company did not respond to questions about Betts’ employment.

Betts and Wood are scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, Wood by Jefferson Circuit Judge Ann Bailey Smith and Betts by the judge assigned that day in Division 2.

Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at 502-582-4475 or pbailey@courier-journal.com.

Read more:

Fischer suspends police youth program amid scandal

Conrad ended earlier investigation into cop accused of sex abuse

From March: Here's what we know about the LMPD scandal