Post by WaTcHeR on Jun 10, 2006 10:53:52 GMT -5
06.09.2006 - NEENAH — Police Chief Ray Appel and three police officers will not be suspended while they face disciplinary charges before the Police Commission.
A fifth officer, Detective Daniel Dringoli, will remain on suspension while he faces disciplinary charges before the commission. Dringoli was suspended with pay in January 2005 pending an internal investigation into alleged misconduct and now faces criminal charges in Winnebago County Circuit Court.
Commission President James Prosser said Thursday that Dringoli sought the suspensions of Appel, Capt. Tom Long, Lt. John Karner and officer Dennis Gitter. Dringoli filed charges against the men with the Police Commission last week.
Prosser said the commission doesn't have the authority to suspend Appel before the charges brought by Dringoli are resolved. He said the commission can suspend a chief only if a complaint is filed by the commission itself or by the mayor.
"Dringoli is not a member of the commission, and he is not the mayor, so we can't suspend Chief Appel based on his complaint," Prosser said.
The commission has the authority to suspend Long, Karner and Gitter, but Prosser said Appel did not deem the officers' continued employment as a risk to public safety or as a risk to the police department.
"His response to both of those questions was no," Prosser said. "He did not see those risks."
Dringoli said he thinks Appel is judging officers differently.
"I was suspended for (allegedly revealing) interview questions," Dringoli said. "How was I ever a danger to the community with interview questions? I am concerned they (Long, Karner and Gitter) are still out there conducting this investigation."
Dringoli filed disciplinary charges against the four officers for a series of alleged offenses, including lying, misleading judicial officers, failing to perform supervisory duties, failing to report misconduct and failing to take police action when necessary.
Appel subsequently filed disciplinary charges against Dringoli for misconduct, unprofessional police work and insubordination.
The Police Commission has scheduled hearings on the charges for July 28, 29 and 31. The dates are tentative.
Prosser said the charges against Appel will be heard separately from the charges against the other four officers, which relate primarily to the investigation of Dringoli.
The commission will act as judge and jury in the cases. It has the authority to suspend, demote and fire police officers.
A fifth officer, Detective Daniel Dringoli, will remain on suspension while he faces disciplinary charges before the commission. Dringoli was suspended with pay in January 2005 pending an internal investigation into alleged misconduct and now faces criminal charges in Winnebago County Circuit Court.
Commission President James Prosser said Thursday that Dringoli sought the suspensions of Appel, Capt. Tom Long, Lt. John Karner and officer Dennis Gitter. Dringoli filed charges against the men with the Police Commission last week.
Prosser said the commission doesn't have the authority to suspend Appel before the charges brought by Dringoli are resolved. He said the commission can suspend a chief only if a complaint is filed by the commission itself or by the mayor.
"Dringoli is not a member of the commission, and he is not the mayor, so we can't suspend Chief Appel based on his complaint," Prosser said.
The commission has the authority to suspend Long, Karner and Gitter, but Prosser said Appel did not deem the officers' continued employment as a risk to public safety or as a risk to the police department.
"His response to both of those questions was no," Prosser said. "He did not see those risks."
Dringoli said he thinks Appel is judging officers differently.
"I was suspended for (allegedly revealing) interview questions," Dringoli said. "How was I ever a danger to the community with interview questions? I am concerned they (Long, Karner and Gitter) are still out there conducting this investigation."
Dringoli filed disciplinary charges against the four officers for a series of alleged offenses, including lying, misleading judicial officers, failing to perform supervisory duties, failing to report misconduct and failing to take police action when necessary.
Appel subsequently filed disciplinary charges against Dringoli for misconduct, unprofessional police work and insubordination.
The Police Commission has scheduled hearings on the charges for July 28, 29 and 31. The dates are tentative.
Prosser said the charges against Appel will be heard separately from the charges against the other four officers, which relate primarily to the investigation of Dringoli.
The commission will act as judge and jury in the cases. It has the authority to suspend, demote and fire police officers.