Former Marshfield Police Chief Rick Gramza. MWC file photo.
MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU-WDLB) — An eight-day hearing schedule has been set to determine if Marshfield Police Chief Rick Gramza will keep his job.
The city’s Police and Fire Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to schedule hearings between March 10th and 25th, according to WDLB Radio in Marshfield.
City Administrator Steve Barg says the proceedings must be thorough, and the public can expect it to play out much like a court case.
“Rick’s attorney will want to contest things that the city’s attorney is presenting and vice versa. We ask people to bear with us,” said Barg. “But the hearing dates are finally set. That’s a good thing to be able to tell the citizens- there’s activity.”
Specific hearing dates will be March 10th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th and 25th. The Commission acknowledged that residents are anxious to have a resolution in the matter, but they also must account for the criminal case against him.
RELATED: Gramza Formally Charged With 4th-Degree Sexual Assault, Released on Bond
Gramza remains free on a $10,000 signature bond. A female police officer brought the allegations against the Chief. Gramza has admitted to a sexual relationship with the employee but has told investigators the contact was consensual.
He’s due back in court on February 18th.
Marshfield’s city council voted unanimously in late December to authorize Barg to file formal employment-related charges against the Chief. The hearings will determine whether Gramza violated any city personnel policies–and if he did, the Commission would then decide if that should result in some sort of disciplinary action, such as suspension or termination.
Gramza was criminally charged in early November with misconduct in office for acting with excessive authority, fourth-degree sexual assault, and misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He remains on leave from the city but is still collecting salary and benefits to the tune of more than $140,000 annually.
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