EM public safety and employee relations committees discuss state of police department

By Cara L. Dempski

ELK MOUND — The Elk Mound public safety and employee relations committees held a joint meeting last Wednesday to discuss several matters pertaining to the police department.

Employee relations chairman Greg Kipp opened the May 17 meeting with discussion regarding the resignations of part-time village police officers Jesse Wnek, Corey Dechow and Kory Evans. He stated the village has not received documentation of resignation from any of the officers.

This argument was made despite the fact that police chief Travis Hakes forwarded an emailed letter of resignation from Dechow dated April 19 to the members of the employee relations committee at that time. Kipp was a member of the committee when the letter was forwarded April 20.

Members of the two committees discussed sending resignation letter forms to the part-time officers via certified mail and requesting return receipt no more than 10 days after the letters are delivered. This could pose a problem for Jesse Wnek, who has reportedly not worked any hours so far in 2017.

Wnek reportedly spoke with village clerk Pat Hahn to inform her he would like to stay in his position until a new police chief was hired before deciding whether he would stay with the Elk Mound PD.

Kipp disagreed with this train of thought.

“I think we should just say that we should get resignation letters, and then if the new police chief wants to contact him to employ him, we can have him (Wnek) do that instead of just sitting here trying to decide what he wants to do,” Kipp stated. “The police chief should have the right to pick who he wants to be his officers if he decides to have part-time officers.”

Members of both committees unanimously approved of this plan. It was unclear from discussion what would happen if the officers declined to respond to the request.

From there, the group fell to discussing appointment of an interim police officer or chief, and suggested former Dunn County Deputy Mike Teitz as one possibility. Commitee member Deb Creaser-Kipp encouraged the committee chairs, Kipp and Rebecca Livingston, to discuss the matter with Teitz before making the recommendation to approach him to the full board.

The combined committees unanimously approved this course of action before moving on to their final agenda item regarding compensation allegedly still owed to former chief Hakes.

Hakes reportedly turned in two time cards, requesting payment for the hours listed on them. However, village president Abraham, Kipp and Livingston raised concerns that the two time sheets did not match up with the log Hakes reportedly used to detail his police department work and activities. After much discussion, the group decided it would be best to discuss the matter with the village attorney before making any decision regarding whether Hakes would receive his pay.

Abraham sent Hakes an email prior to the meeting indicating the former village police chief should turn over the combination for the gun safe, as well as passwords for all the computers. The village president also requested usernames, logins or passwords for things like the Sprint account and police email account, and asked that Hakes return all keys, master keys and police-related materials or equipment to the village.

Hakes forwarded the email, along with his response and several following letters. The former police chief’s initial response, dated the morning of May 18, indicated he had left everything belonging to the village at the department. He then expressed concern about turning over all passwords to the Public Works director.

The former lead law enforcement officer informed Abraham it was inappropriate to leave director Mark Levra responsible for the evidence contained in some of the items secured in the department offices. He cited concern for potential civil litigation for the village and Mark which Hakes further stated he wanted no part of.

Hakes then clarified the pay he submitted included back pay, and is standard with past and current practices. He indicated the back pay was voted on and approved, stating he had been informed he was due a three percent raise based on a $22.55 hourly rate, which is equal to a $.67 increase.

Abraham’s emailed response informed Hakes the request was reviewed at the May 17 committee meeting, but had no decision made after both committees agreed to seek legal advice prior to the May 24 board meeting.

His letter further stated “your (Hakes’) submitted hours balanced against the vehicle log, police log and uncompleted, significant work and request forms in your office and the patrol office that dated back to dates indicated as worked or cover by same.”

Abraham’s letter also noted the position of police chief is an autonomous one, requiring logs and verifiable work completed in order to provide accountability. This matter was also brought up during the committee meeting when Abraham informed both groups he had done some work in the police chief’s office earlier that day, and was astonished at the amount of incomplete work there.

The village president’s letter also stated “records do not indicate that a pay raise was approved for the police chief position.”

Abraham elaborated, telling Hakes the position was not automatically included with other positions or requests. However, during the meeting, the reason given for Hakes not receiving the same raise as provided to Hahn and Levra was his non-attendance at the meeting where said raises were approved.

When committee member Tony Schrantz questioned why that was the case, the response from multiple voices was “that’s the way we’ve always done it.”

Hakes’ final email response to Abraham indicated his deep disappointment at what he felt was unequal treatment.

“It is unfortunate that not all employees are held to the same standards,” Hakes’ letter began. “You may want to look at my 2016 pay, as this same problem occurred.”

The letter then indicates the former police chief’s disgust with the board’s willingness to accept the number of overtime hours Hahn worked in 2016 without checks and balances, but are forcing him to “jump through hoops” to get paid for work he completed.

The letter finished with Hakes’ indication he will no longer use any of his personal time to be of assistance to the village, despite previously volunteering to spend a few days speaking with the new police chief regarding the village and operations.

The matters discussed will be presented to the full village board at its regular meeting May 24.