Anderson police officer Goodwin discharged

For the second time this year, Anderson Police Chief Dale Webb announced Monday that he just discharged a police officer. Matthew Goodwin, 28, a patrol officer with the city for four years, turned in his badge at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, Webb said.

Chief Webb said in a telephone interview late Monday that no further information about Goodwin's discharge will be released, as personnel matters of the department must be held confidential.

Goodwin was placed on administrative leave with pay in June along with former officer Bryan Benson following allegations that Benson had raped a woman whom he was transporting to the Shasta County Jail on May 29.

Upon returning from the jail, Benson allegedly told Goodwin of his sexual encounter. Despite on-going investigations into the charges, Goodwin said nothing of Benson's statement until he eventually told fellow officers about Benson's alleged statement on June 2, just one day before Goodwin met with investigators June 3, District Attorney Jerry Benito said.

Benito has declined to press criminal charges against Goodwin. Benson was discharged by Webb on Aug. 20 and faces a jury trial in Shasta County Superior Court on Monday, Feb. 8, 2011.

Although Goodwin has been discharged, he still has the option to appeal that discharge, Webb said.