Pubdate: Fri, 09 Aug 2002
Source: Janesville Gazette (WI)
Copyright: 2002 Bliss Communications, Inc
Contact: http://www.gazetteextra.com/lettereditor.html
Website: http://www.gazetteextra.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1356
Author: Susan Yanny, Gazette Staff

DELAVAN CHIEF, OFFICER FILE CHARGES

DELAVAN--Police Chief Kenneth Witkowich has asked the Delavan Police and 
Fire Commission to fire police officer Jeffrey Lofy.

In turn, Lofy has asked the commission to fire Witkowich.

Witkowich filed charges against Lofy with the commission on July 1, saying 
that he violated the rules and regulations of being a police officer.

Lofy filed charges against Witkowich with the commission on July 31, saying 
that he violated the rules and regulations of being a police chief.

The commission will conduct a public evidentiary hearing about the charges 
filed against Lofy at 9 a.m. Sept. 24 at the Delavan Municipal Building, 
123 S. Second St.

It has not decided what it will do about the charges filed against Witkowich.

Witkowich said Thursday that he started investigating Lofy in late February 
after being contacted by a supervisor for a Janesville Gazette newspaper 
carrier with a concern about Lofy.

Witkowich said he was assisted in the investigation by Janesville Police 
Deputy Chief David Moore, who helped review the evidence acquired against Lofy.

He said he also was assisted by Milwaukee lawyer Jim Korom, who helped 
review the evidence and draft the charges.

"We conducted a very thorough investigation," he said. "During the course 
of our investigation, other incidents began to come to light. Additionally, 
citizens came forward with information."

Witkowich declined to comment about Lofy's complaint against him.

When reached at his home Thursday, Lofy declined to comment about either 
complaint.

According to Witkowich's complaint:

- --Lofy threw away evidence--three marijuana pipes with residue on them 
found near a Delavan apartment complex--on Feb. 25. He said during an 
interview that he had done the same thing "many times in the past."

- --Lofy improperly stopped an African-American man and his African-American 
grandson who were delivering Janesville Gazette newspapers in a van in 
Delavan on Feb. 26. He told them they were in the "wrong place at the wrong 
time."

He said during an interview that he stopped the van partly because "there 
were two black males in an area where I've never seen black males."

- --Lofy was rude to a woman who came into the police station to talk to 
police about a matter on March 28. She filed a complaint against Lofy with 
the department.

The commission suspended Lofy for six months on May 17, 2001, before 
Witkowich became the chief. Lofy returned to his job after Witkowich took over.

The commission found Lofy guilty of giving false statements on April 28, 
2001, to Walworth County Sheriff's Lt. Tim Schiefelbein before the 
execution of a search warrant connected to a federal drug investigation.

According to Lofy's complaint:

- --Witkowich discriminated, harassed and retaliated against Lofy after Lofy 
returned to work after his suspension on Nov. 19, 2001.

An example was that Witkowich did not offer overtime to Lofy, although he 
offered it to other officers with less seniority.

- --Witkowich showed disrespect and lack of civility toward Lofy.

An example was during a conversation that Witkowich had with former Delavan 
Mayor Ronald Henriott about Lofy on Jan. 25, in which Witkowich said, "When 
that fat bastard comes back to work, I will handle him."

Henriott warned Witkowich about using "that type of language."

- --Witkowich abused his position, displayed unprofessional conduct and gave 
conflicting or illegal orders.

An example was when Witkowich placed Lofy on administrative duty after 
serving him with the charges on July 1, which "appears to be retaliatory 
and discriminatory in nature."

- --Witkowich displayed unprofessional and unbecoming conduct, misuse of 
departmental equipment and abuse of his position as police chief.

Witkowich allowed an intern to drive a police vehicle on July 4.

Commission chairman Richard Carlson declined to comment on Thursday about 
the complaints.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom