Lucy Y. Her; Staff Writer
January 19, 2001, Friday, Metro Edition
Copyright 2001 Star Tribune
Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)
January 19, 2001, Friday, Metro Edition
(SOMERSET, Minn.) -- A police chief and one of his officers, accused of misconduct including supplying alcohol to underage women at a skinny-dipping party last summer, were suspended Thursday night by the village’s Police Review Board.
Chief Rick Pfaff and officer James Dixon were suspended immediately at least until hearings begin Feb. 6, board attorney Keith Rodli told a packed room of about 60 residents.
All five board members _ Mark Dvorak, Dennis Thanig, Liz Lammers, Glen Kapaun and John Watters _ voted for the paid suspension. Pfaff was present when it was announced but didn’t comment.
No criminal charges have been filed, although an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation and the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office continues.
Pfaff’s lawyer, Gregory Holly, had asked that Pfaff not be suspended.
“We believe this complaint is lodged against Chief Pfaff by certain individuals to promote their political agenda, which has divided this village for years,” he said. “We believe that upon the presentation and consideration of all evidence it will be clear that these charges are false, petty or insubstantial and unworthy of any substantial discipline.”
Pfaff has filed grievances against officer Michael Kappers for filing “a false police report” regarding the alleged June 27 skinny-dipping and drinking incident, and in the process allegedly defaming him. Mike Waterman, Dixon’s lawyer, said that Dixon doesn’t oppose the suspension, but that he “is willing and eager to defend himself.”
Allegations of police misconduct began circulating last fall. A week ago, sheriff’s deputies and state agents searched the Police Department and removed documents.
Two full-time officers, Adam Wojciehowski and Kappers, will run the police force with help from sheriff’s deputies.
“They made the right decision,” Village Board President Mike Eckelberg said of the Police Review Board. “I don’t know how it can be made any clearer.”
Ross Gabrick, spokesman for Somerset Concerned Citizens, said, “A lot of people have been holding their breath to find out what tonight’s outcome would be. Generally there’s a sense of relief.” He said residents who have strong feelings “can put them aside and unify.”
Earlier in the evening, village attorney Tim O’Brien presented the misconduct charges against Pfaff and other police officers:
- Violation of Wisconsin’s alcoholic beverage law on June 27, when Pfaff and officers Dixon and Fred Meyers allegedly skinny-dipped and provided alcohol to underage women.
- Misappropriation of a $5,000 federal public safety grant that was a part of a program to stop underage youths from buying and drinking alcohol.
- Mishandling seized firearms. Pfaff “improperly and illegally traded to acquire department weapons,” according to an internal misconduct complaint filed Wednesday. In addition, several firearms weren’t sent to a crime lab, as required. “Clearly, this was not proper,” O’Brien said.
- Falsification of time sheets and records. O’Brien said that Dixon submitted time sheet records that repeatedly showed violations, including payment for hours not worked, and that Pfaff signed them.
- Theft of evidence. Pfaff and Dixon took alcohol that was confiscated as evidence for their own personal use, the complaint said.
- Violation of alcohol laws. According to the complaint, Pfaff, Dixon and part-time officers Jim Harker, Lisa Bahneman and Michael Bahneman allowed or took part in underage-drinking incidents. One incident was at Pfaff’s home, the complaint said.
When public hearings begin Feb. 6, O’Brien will question witnesses, and then Holly and Waterman will cross-examine witnesses. The Police Review Board will make the final determination on whether Pfaff, Dixon and other officers will keep or lose their jobs.
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