Category: Law enforcement
-
Ex-Muskego officer accused of sex assault by fellow cop working at nearby agency
Andrew Sundstrom, a former Muskego Police K9 officer, was accused of sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend, also a cop. He was forced out of the job but not charged and claims the allegations were “manufactured.”
-
GOP lawmakers want to include state police in law enforcement bill of rights
Wisconsin is one of many states to protect cops through a bill of rights, but it excludes state-employed police. Some lawmakers want to change that, while critics worry they are receiving special treatment.
-
The Badger Project sues Wind Point PD after it refuses records requests
A veteran of that Racine County police department quit in 2023 before the completion of an investigation into his conduct. The Badger Project sued after the department denied its requests for that investigation.
-
Waushara Co Sheriff took over $20k for K9 partner after quitting trainings
Sheriff Walter Zuehlke stopped training ‘Argo’ in 2019 after his election, but continued taking $400 monthly care checks from the county, even after the dog died, an investigation by The Badger Project found.
-
NW Wisconsin cop forced out for bad behavior now working at Hayward PD
Officer Matthew Frey resigned in lieu of termination from the Cumberland Police Department after facing dozens of complaints, including cursing at civilians and watching YouTube on duty.
-
Ex-Jackson Co chief deputy ousted for bad behavior working at nearby Neillsville PD
Adam Olson resigned from his position as the second-ranking officer at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office last year while under investigation for inappropriate relationships with female subordinates.
-
Ex-Northern Wis jail head who sent lewd texts to female deputies working as cop
Jeffrey Johnson resigned from the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 after sending sexual images to female jail deputies. He was later hired in the next county over at the Minong Police Department.
-
WisDOT releases records, pays legal fees after lawsuit from The Badger Project
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation twice refused to release records pertaining to a former State Patrol officer, so The Badger Project sued. Less than two weeks later, the department agreed to release them.
-
The Badger Project sues DOT for records in investigation of former state trooper
A former state trooper was “terminated for cause” in 2020, but has continued to work in law enforcement. The Badger Project argues the DOT’s refusal to release documents related to the case is illegal.
-
The Badger Project sues St. Croix County for records in ex-deputy investigation
A deputy resigned from the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office before it concluded an investigation into her conduct. The county denied a request for those records, citing concerns over department morale.
-
Bipartisan bill to aid recruiting at small police depts stalls after state budget snub
With the total number of law enforcement officers in Wisconsin sitting near record lows, the bill aims to ease staffing shortages with grants to help pay for the training of new hires. But it faces an uphill climb.
-
Racine County cop kept job despite DA’s deception claim; she alleges retaliation
The district attorney said Waterford Police Officer Sarah Polka was dishonest during an investigation into her son. Polka said that was untrue and payback for her advocacy of her department.
-
Political challenger accuses Waupaca Co Sheriff, local GOP chapter, of blacklisting
More than a year before the GOP primary, a rural Wisconsin sheriff’s race is heating up, with the former and current DAs taking sides.
-
‘They don’t know’ – Cop ousted in Racine Co for dishonesty promoted at new dept
A sheriff’s investigation recommended that the Waterford Police Department terminate Nathaniel Schweitzer in 2024. He was recently promoted to sergeant in Big Bend in Waukesha County.
-
Milwaukee-area cop resigns after investigation from The Badger Project
Amanda Lang quit the Lannon Police Department after our story noted why she had been forced out of a previous job in law enforcement.
-
Fond du Lac Co Sheriff’s deputy quit previous jail job after stealing toilet paper
Coty Hazelett was rehired by the Vilas County Jail after his 2020 resignation, then moved to a similar job in Fond Du Lac County in 2023.
-
Vilas Co deputy who quit after drunken street scuffle back at sheriff’s office
Police arrested Brent Wilmot after he fled the altercation in 2021. A superior says the department gave him a second chance in 2024 and he has become one of their “better deputies.”
-
Milwaukee-area cop quit last police job after appearing to skip 200+ work hours
An internal investigation found the officer, Amanda Lang, had “displayed a lack of integrity, honesty and trustworthiness.”