The fate of a Blue Earth police officer on paid administrative leave since Dec.6 may soon be known.
After weather canceled two hearings between the City Council, officer Chad Bonin and his labor union attorney, a meeting between the parties was held on Wednesday.
“The City Council met to discuss a separation agreement,” says City Administrator Tim Ibisch. “Once it is finalized, those details can be made public.”
An investigation into alleged misconduct by Bonin was recently completed by the Twin Cities area law firm of Everett & VanderWiel.
A 42-page report details findings regarding a complaint that was filed against Bonin last November.
“If the separation agreement is approved by officer Bonin and his legal counsel, then the details of our investigation would remain confidential,” says Ibisch.
So far, the city has not seen a bill for the cost of the investigation.
Under the contract, two attorneys from the law firm were paid $200 an hour in addition to any legal assistant and paralegal services each at a rate of $100 an hour.
The city also paid for mileage, travel, expert fees, courier fees and out-of-pocket expenses.
Bonin has been with the police department since March 12, 2012, and is currently earning an annual salary of $60,765,
This isn’t the first time Bonin has faced a complaint involving alleged misconduct allegations.
In 2014, he was accused of four counts of police officer misconduct, however, an investigation substantiated just two of the charges. As a result, he served three days of suspension without pay.
In one violation, the veteran officer violated police department policy while he was off-duty and rode in a car where alcohol was being consumed.
The other violation involved Bonin failing to report an accident involving his squad car in a timely manner.
The accident reportedly involved his parked vehicle being hit by a car driven by an acquaintance of his and was not reported for two days.