Investigation of police complaints being put on hold

Local News

The outcome of complaints filed against two Winnebago police officers won’t be known for several months.

City Administrator Jake Skluzacek says an investigation being conduct by Isaac Kaufman of Red Cedar Consulting is being tabled, for now.

Skluzacek says two people who filed complaints have court cases currently pending in Faribault County District Court.

Because of the open criminal cases, says Skluzacek, Kaufman decided it was best to wait until they are settled.

“The reason for this is so the investigator will be able to interview them, which he is unable to do now,” he says.

One of the complaints reportedly deals with law enforcement’s handling of a traffic stop for suspected driver’s license cancellation on May 6.

Another complaint accuses police of “abuse of power and overreach” when they enforced a governor’s executive order.

In early July, Michelle Soldo of Soldo Consulting Group, P.C., of Woodbury began the investigation and later Kaufman was hired.

Both investigators are being paid $145 an hour plus any postal and copying charges.

A two-day jury trial has been scheduled Dec. 30-31 for a complainant charged with obstructing legal process — interfering with a peace officer. The gross misdemeanor charge stems from the May 6 incident.No date has been set for a jury trial in the other case in which the person faces two misdemeanor charges.

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