Investigation of complaints filed against Winnebago’s police chief and an officer are almost complete.
And, so far it has cost the city more than $3,100.
“The investigation into the complaint on officer (Jacob) Pettit and Chief (Eric) Olson is still ongoing and the investigator is still completing interviews,” says City Administrator Jake Skluzacek.
The complaint Skluzacek is referring to deals with law enforcement’s handling of a traffic stop for suspected driver’s license cancellation on May 6, 2019.
Investigator Isaac Kaufman found no wrongdoing, says Skluzacek, when officers enforced an “executive order” that bars remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
In the complaint, the bar owner accused police of “abuse of power and overreach” when they charged him for violating the order.
In another investigation, Tripleanews.com has learned the Scott County Sheriff’s Department — at the request of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) — has finished looking into allegations of misconduct and the use of excessive force.
The POST board’s complaint investigation committee and staff called for an investigation after reviewing three videos of the May 6 arrest.
According to the person who submitted the videos, they recently received a phone call and were told the matter will now go before a disciplinary board for consideration sometime in January.
Angie Rohow, standards coordinator for the POST board, says the state’s Data Practice’s law prevents her to comment on any existence or non-existence of an investigation.
She says results of an investigation can be released if disciplinary action is taken by the full POST board.
“Final discipline occurs when the board approves a Stipulation and Consent Order or when an administrative law judge issues an order in a contested hearing,” adds Rohow.
In one video police officer Jacob Pettit puts his arm around the suspect’s neck to take him to the ground. Another shows footage of three Faribault County deputies attempting to subdue the person while lying on the ground.
A third video shows officers appearing deny the person medical attention while being booked at the county jail.