Police Chief Will Be Ready To Return To Work With Wrongdoings Corrected
Hortonville Police Chief Michael Sullivan was issued a two-week suspension by the Police and Fire Commission on Tuesday. The suspension order called for a possibility of 8 total weeks of being suspended without pay, but Sullivan only must serve two weeks unless he retaliates in anyway or has any misconduct, according to the document.
“It is diffidently a victory” said Sullivan. “My integrity has been restored, but the last four months have been terrible.” Sullivan added the public, family and close friends have been supportive through the process.
The Hortonville Police and Fire Commission ruled that Sullivan violated four counts of the complaint against him.
The counts that Sullivan is said to have violated are:
Inappropriate Discriminatory Conduct:
Documents state that Sullivan allegedly made statements in informal settings. “We remain disappointed in the lack of professionalism, civic sensibility, carelessness, and simple rudeness that is conduct displayed.” The document goes on to state that there were allegations of Chief Sullivan retaliating against those who made the complaint, and that would be grounds to consider dismissal, but they were unfounded.
Violation of the State Transaction Information for Management of Enforcement System:
Violation of Employee’s Rights to Grieve and Engage In Protected Activity:
According to the documents released, Sullivan was said to have taken positions regarding actual or potential union activity which were poorly considered and expressed.
Violating the Directive Not to Discuss the Investigation During the Course of the Investigation:
The claims against Sullivan allege that he revealed or discussed information that could potentially undermine the investigation. Sullivan defended by saying that his conduct in the matter resulted from frustration, confusion and uncertainty. The Commission concluded that by stating “we accept the reality of the explanation, but not its validity”.
Sullivan responded to the violations by saying, improvements have to be made on his end.
“I thought I was doing an excellent job, and past evaluations have shown I was” said Sullivan. “There are areas that I was starting to slip in, and I will make improvements in those areas, if I have not started already.”
Records also show Sullivan turned in papers to be on the election ballot for a Village Board seat, and bylaws state if he wins, he will have to choose between being Police Chief or being on the Village Board.