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Gramza Formally Charged With 4th-Degree Sexual Assault, Released on Bond

By Mike Leischner Dec 23, 2020 | 12:00 PM

Former Marshfield Police Chief Rick Gramza

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — A signature bond was set for Marshfield Police Chief Rick Gramza on Wednesday after formal charges of misconduct in office and 4th-degree sexual assault were brought against him in Wood County.

According to investigators Gramza made unwanted sexual advances and contact with a female officer over several years, dating back to before Gramza’s time as Chief.

The alleged victim said she had contacted Human Resources about the incidents, but the complaint never went any further than that. She was also afraid for her job security after Gramza became Cheif.

Gramza has acknowledged the contact but says it was consensual.

During Wednesday’s appearance, Gramza waived his right to a speedy trial. A judge then set his bond at $10,000 signature. A preliminary hearing and arraignment were scheduled for January 13th.

Conditions of the bond include no contact with the alleged victim except as it relates to official duties if he returns to work. Incidental duties are to be handled by the Assistant Chief.

The Marshfield Common Council has scheduled a special meeting for next Tuesday, December 29th at 6:00 p.m., at which time City Administrator Steve Barg says aldermen will adjourn to closed session to consider authorizing him to proceed with filing employment-related charges against the Chief with the Fire-and-Police Commission.
“(Hypothetically), you can probably imagine a scenario where somebody might be charged with a crime, and they may be guilty, they may not be guilty–but in the midst of it, they might violate personnel policies–and if they did, what does that add up to? Does that add up to suspension? Termination? Picture this as kind of the employment side of the equation.
“And that’s what it is called. It’s called filing charges, which is kind of confusing because you think about charges being filed by law enforcement agencies and D.A.’s (district attorneys), not City Administrators. But, it would be called filing charges with the PFC (Police & Fire Commission) if we were asking them to consider some type of potentially disciplinary action.”

Gramza also took voluntary leave earlier this year when he was informed about the possibility of charges against him stemming from an incident in his past, but those charges never materialized and he returned to work a week later.

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