OGDEN -- The police chief and mayor were cleared of wrongdoing in the suspension of an officer whose wife had protested the city's ticket policy.

The timing of Matt Jones's suspension was coincidental to a critical sign on a van that had been parked on busy streets for eight days, Weber County Attorney Mark DeCaria said.

Chief Jon Greiner said Jones was suspended because of two complaints by citizens.

"We would have recommended the leave decision be delayed for two reasons," DeCaria wrote in his report.

"First, to ensure that there was no connection between the decision and the van controversy and second, to provide time for an investigation to determine if a crime or policy violation had been committed and if a reasonable connection existed implicating officer Jones," he said.

DeCaria found there was enough information to place Jones on leave, but there was not sufficient evidence that he had committed a crime.

"There is absolutely no evidence because I didn't do it," said Jones, who hopes to be cleared by an internal investigation.

At the time of the van incident, Ogden police were unhappy with the possibility that raises would be tied to the number of traffic tickets.

Mayor Matthew Godfrey wrote down the van's license number July 27 and asked Greiner to check the registration.

"While some may question the mayors motives, ultimately following a private vehicle is not a criminal violation under these circumstances," DeCaria's report states.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D4.