People have questions about the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Thomas Kibbey, former county chief detective. They’re not the only ones.

Unfortunately it’s going to be some time before anyone gets any real answers. And, while Kibbey has been highly decorated during his time in law enforcement, we hope the Attorney General’s office doesn’t simply play the long game and slow play the investigation into Kibbey’s alleged misconduct.

Trust in police has been on a downward trend for years across the country. Cases like Kibbey’s, if allowed to fester, will only further deteriorate that trust.

It’s important that the Attorney General’s investigation is both fair to all involved but handled quickly and, most important, with a public conclusion.

In that vein, we’re encouraged to see Judge Gregory Hammond stand up to a request to essentially keep defense attorneys involved in cases affected by Kibbey’s misconduct in the loop rather than acquiescing to the Attorney General’s request that the court seal the records until the investigation is complete. In the interest of fairness, Hammond ruled the Commonwealth, by and through the Warren County District Attorney’s Office and/or the state Attorney General’s office, disclose all information pertaining to the investigation of alleged misconduct by Kibbey including, but not limited to, interviews, recordings, written statements, and any other materials, to the defendants’ attorneys.

The state was further ordered to update defendants with any information subsequently acquired throughout the course of the investigation.

It was the right thing to do, in our opinion. It sounds as if there are relatively few cases that Kibbey’s misconduct actually affected, but we live in a small community – and that means that everything Kibbey touched will be seen as tainted by many in the community. Hammond did the right thing in keeping defense attorneys informed.

The general public needs the same courtesy the minute this investigation is over.