By LeAnn R. Ralph
GLENWOOD CITY — Glenwood City Police Chief Robert Darwin was placed on administrative leave Thursday on what turned out to be false accusations against him.
The Glenwood City Tribune Press Reporter received a statement that was hand delivered by Mayor John Larson and given to Carlton DeWitt, publisher, on Thursday, December 13.
According to the statement, Police Chief Darwin “has been placed on paid administrative leave by Mayor John Larson pending an investigation into ‘alleged’ criminal activity. The Polk County Sheriff’s Department is conducting the investigation. No further information is available at this time.”
On Friday, December 14, the Tribune Press Reporter received an e-mail message from Mayor Larson stating that the person making the accusations against Police Chief Darwin was lying.
According to the e-mail message from Mayor Larson, “Good news!!! I received a phone call late yesterday afternoon from St. Croix County Chief Deputy Cathy Borgschatz. She informed me that apparently the person making the accusations against Bob was lying and made up a story. Under questioning by the Polk County investigator, (the person) recanted his story and admitted it never happened. We have to wait until we get their written report but would anticipate Bob should be back working sometime next week.”
After DeWitt had received the e-mail message, Mayor Larson called the publisher of the newspaper and said Chief Deputy Borgschatz had called the mayor that morning to say there was “no merit” to the accusation and that Police Chief Darwin could be reinstated at any time.
Mayor Larson said the police chief “should be back working on Monday,” DeWitt said.
