Posted on Monday, 26th November 2007 by Patrick Dorwin
Citizens for Responsible Government has uncovered the fact that the Shboygan County Sheriffs Department has been running what is essentially a private security firm from the sheriffs department offices. They have sign-up sheets right in the offices, and the county provides a squad car, and if an officer is hurt, or hurts or kills a suspect while doing this outside work, it is the county residence that will get stuck with the bill. These officers are not bonded to do this sort of work and it is the counties workers comp insurance that will pay the bill if a deputy is injured.
CRG contends that this employment is in violation of §946.12(2) and (5) Wis. Stats. (Misconduct in Public Office) and §440.26 Wis. Stats. (Private Security Licensing), and after a three month stonewall from the Sheboygan County District Attorney, CRG has forwarded all material to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for continued investigation.
CRG has an overview in its Press Release in this issue and on their main website, they have links to some of the documents that show that Sheboygan County residences are financially responsible for providing private businesses with private security.
Tags: Sheboygan Sheriffs Department
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28 Responses to “Corruption in the Sheboygan Sheriffs Department”
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November 26th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Just how many of the people involved here are Perezistas?
November 26th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Good question.
November 26th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
[...] to Badger Blogger for bringing Citizens for Responsible Government’s most recent shenanigans to my [...]
November 26th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I think CRG is barking up the wrong tree here. Attend any Brewer game and you’ll see Milwaukee cops working security. The Brewers are a for profit, private company. Milwaukee coppers also work events at the Bradley Center.
I’ve also seen other police officers working events around the state.
A few years ago a house near my aunt’s in Madison imploded which caused two windows in my aunt’s house to shatter. My dad asked me to venture into her supposedly trendy (not) Madison neighborhood to make the repairs. I went to a nearby bank to use the ATM and saw a Madison copper working security. I asked the uniformed officer if he was on duty. He said he was working “a side job” and it was authorized by his department.
I’ve also seen deputy sheriffs providing security for taverns in Madison during football games. At Packer games, Green Bay coppers work the gates and provide security. The Packers are a privately held company.
My guess is companies pay the city for these services. It seems like a win, win to me. Private money providing trainned officers to deter hooliganism and crime.
November 26th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
BH, Some of the jobs at the Packer games are subsudized, but traffic control is not. That is just OT on the various departments’ budgets.
A fringe of getting duty at Lambeau is getting to see some of the game.
November 26th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Blue Houdini, this practice has not only been going on all over the area. It has been a practice for decades. I hire off duty city cops for security purposes 30 years ago!
November 26th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
CRG might as well take their info and toss it in the garbage. Around the state, the Wisconsin Department of Justice has reputation of doing little more than providing cover for high ranking law enforcement officials. Whenever a sheriff or police chief needs to fend off controversy, they send the matter to the DOJ for a “review.” This isn’t an investigation. It just means that an agent looks over some reports and, of course, concludes the chief or the sheriff did nothing unlawful. CRG’s case is going, going, gone, into the butt covering state bureaucracy.
November 26th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I disagree with Blue Houdini…difference is the Brewers and Bradley Center pay the City of Milwaukee, or Milwaukee County directly, they don’t pay the cop off in cash at the end of the shift like the campgrounds in Sheboygan is. If I remember the documents correctly, they also said they would “take care the taxes”. Does this mean these deputies aren’t reporting the $210.00 they are earning every weekend night during the summer to the IRS? Also, personal use of a work vehicle is supposed to be reported as income to the IRS, which means the county providing them a squad car to get to and from these security gigs should be reported as a value to the IRS.
November 26th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
It also creates an inherint conflict of interest between the personnel who are working privately, and their public duty. In some places this would be called a protection racket.
Police response not fast enough? Hire our special security squad.
November 26th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Jim, I just spoke to a friend who said the West Allis PD provides security at a roller rink on Hwy. 100 and Oklahoma. Due to some rowdy kids there the owner was “advised” to hire two off-duty city officers.
Compare what many of our elected representatives are permitted to do. Many members of the state legislature are lawyers and are partners of law firms. They’re making laws that could benefit their own firms. Isn’t this a conflict of interest?
Also, let’s face it, Dave from Sheboygan is right on the money. The DOJ isn’t going to do a darn thing about the CRG complaint. It’s going to sit on some bureaucrat’s desk and get very dusty.
November 26th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Yes, some cities and counties allow their officers and deputies to work for private businesses, Milwaukee just recently passed the same sort of law, but do you think that these other municipalities are allowing their cops to work for a business while sticking the county or city with legal liability, workers comp etc.?
November 26th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
I know the taxpayers of Milwaukee cover the liabilities of the officers assigned to Miller Park and events at the Bradley Center, including workman’s comp. I’m assuming the city would do the same for the officers deployed in taverns.
While I don’t have any information readily available, my guess is the West Allis officers working at the old Skate U. or other off-duty jobs are covered by their municipality as well.
Looking at this issue, I see it as a mixed bag. On one hand, private sector money is creating a visible police presence. Placing officers in troubled locations will likely decrease potential calls for service, and, therefore, save taxpayers money. These types of jobs also put a few extra bucks in the pockets of police officers. I would much rather see a cop working in uniform than tending bar at night to put his kids through college. Although, Patrick does have a point. There is a liability factor at play here.
The Sheboygan County Sheriff is elected by the voters. If the taxpayers of Sheboygan County don’t agree with the sheriff’s policy, they can put pressure on him to change the policy or elect someone else. I just don’t see this issue as one that rises to the level of misconduct in public office. For better or worse, it’s a policy decision.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
My brother in Denver works occassionally for the Av’s and other private concerns. It does it on his own time, and his employment has nothing to do with Jefferson County Colorado in any way shape or form. The Sheboygan deal is troubling.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Quote: The Sheboygan deal is troubling.
I think it is, too. I hope the DOJ looks at this seriously because it sure doesn’t sit right with me, either and I’m grateful to CRG for discovering this and sending it to them. There’s SO much corruption up here.
And there’s every reason to believe perezites are behind it, of course. Perez has been “in bed” with the County since before being elected. The taxpayers are stuck footing a $600,000.00 bill for a new Police Station — on contaminated land (WDNR confirmed this as recently as Oct. 19th I believe it was…can check if necessary) that Perez insisted on purchasing from the County. We had a site that was already city-owned and not contaminated. It was voted on FOUR times. Then came Perez…
On top of all that, the building was cut WAY down in size and cost. So much so, the old building is going to have to be used for storage after this new dung-heap is built (on the cheap, to make matters worse).
And may we never forget the attempt tp abolish our PD completely in favor of “metro” law enforcement. Right now many of us still firmly believe they’re still trying to “back door” the Act 40 debacle (for valid reasons). All because of the Perez-County connection.
Don’t think anything in Sheboygan is “innocent” these days — it’s just not, sad to say.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
You’ve got a lot of people defending the indefensible up there, and an equal number looking the other way.
The sun will shine on whatever is going on up there, in good time. Agendas will be exposed.
Sooner or later, the facts in these situations all come out for the world to see.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Jeni, I agree with Bruce. My opinion you ask?? I think you have picked a fight for whatever reasons you chose to. I could not care less what your personal reasons may or may not have been. You turned a POWERFUL FLASHLIGHT on COCK ROACHES in Sheboygan.
Bruce said it well. People are either “defending” things that are indefensible, or they are “looking the other way”, but there is one more aspect that I noticed IMMMMMMEDIATELY upon hearing your uncontestable story of attempted and almost successful political intimidation and the abuse of power by at least one elected official. I’ll synopsize as briefly as I can. {You were a pain in Perez’ considerable ass. You challenged him, and attempted to take his election win away, via recall. You failed. He put a target on your back. You continued your (no offense intended) crusade and BLOGGED about Perez conduct as you saw it. He got more pissed. He and his Hillary-esque goon-squad thought they could shut you up, after you linked the Sheboygan P.D. to your own site/sites. Perez then f—-d up by MISUSING is OFFICE to get City Attorney McCheese to give an opinion on your “links”. McCheese told Perez that there was nothing NOTHING improper nor illegal about your link/links. That has been documented. But that didn’t stop dirty Sanchez, errrrr Perez from using his power as Mayor to request the City Attorney to go ahead and send a cease and desist order, though he knew it was not legally proper, nor binding in any way. McSargento DID Perez’ bidding. Then Captain Kirk was involved, though that is less clear as to culpability. Anyway you slice it, PEREZ attempted VIA HIS OFFICE and AUTHORITY to SHUT YOU UP.
The fact that City Attorney McHack, went ahead and sent you the letter shows his complicity in attempting to silence someone who as a citizen QUESTIONED the Mayor.]
I promised to be brief.
Why you acted as a citizen within your rights is irrelevant, moot and specious.
Why Perez acted in a manner outside the bounds of his authority and abusive to a citizen is VERY VERY RELEVANT.
He has responsibilities as an elected official/Mayor.
It’s really that simple.
November 27th, 2007 at 12:24 am
Don’t forget the third leg of the triangle, folks… upon his detractors gaining a modicum of credibility outside of Sheboygan, the mayors defenders took it upon themselves (or were urged to, for whatever they stood to gain, which will be uncovered in time) to unleash the Sheboygan scorched-earth society upon Jeni, and anyone who dared aid or defend her position.
Mickey, you make some great points. But let’s not forget what happened after the mayor’s abuse of power was exposed. A systematic smear campaign and attempts at intimidation, which may or may not continue to this very day.
November 27th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Thanks Bruce, You said I made some great points, I appreciate that, but my question is, can anyone REFUTE, the points I have made??
I doubt it.
My points have nothing to do with any bias, they have nothing to do with whether I agree with Jeni, my points as I presented them are..by and large FACTUAL.
Do you think ANYONE will have the balls to REFUTE my FACTUAL points??
I’ll bet Zach doesn’t.
November 27th, 2007 at 9:01 am
I just saw in my local rag that a Milwaukee police officer was found to be an Illegal Alien using his dead cousin’s name. I wonder if Sheboygan has any Illegal Aliens working as Police, Fire, and city/county offices since Perez became Hugo Chavez, Jr.
November 27th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
mickey, you do have a style totally unique to YOU — and it always makes me smile. And I needed that really bad today, so thanks for that, and for seeing the cold, hard facts. Well put. And no, no one can refute unless they lie. (Which some do try to do but never mind those…)
PCD — good point. I think I’ll start asking some questions. I do know the PD hasn’t been able to do much hiring at all since Perez took office and we do have an outstanding police force, but like this young man from Milwaukee, you just never know, do you?
November 27th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Quote:
“A systematic smear campaign and attempts at intimidation, which may or may not continue to this very day.
Yes, Bruce, they continue, sad to say.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Am I missing something among the few who actually defend the Sheboygan Sheriff’s Department? There is a way do to this legally and ethically. You pay the county the cost of wages and benefits and have the deputies officially provide protection. This is what happens at Miller Park. In case you didn’t realize it those officers are ON-DUTY and acting in an official capacity. Oh, but that would cost more now wouldn’t it!
This is nothing but a taxpayer subsidized private security firm. The private sector cant’t compete because they have to purchase and maintain their own “squad cars” and pay wages plus benefits, worker’s comp, and they have to obey state statutes and license and bond their employees.
Taxpayers pay the County Sheriff to provide public protection not to run a part-time employment agency set up to protect private businesses. There is nothing wrong with deputies earning a few bucks on the side. More power to them. That is the beauty of the American free market. Just do it on your own time and expense like the rest of us. Does your company market, sell, and support your part-time job? Well, neither should the taxpayers.
Just wait until there is an injury or fatality incident and the multi-million dollar liability judgment comes down. What tune will the defenders sing then?
November 28th, 2007 at 9:58 am
To expand on what Chris is saying, the new ordinance change that Milwaukee just approved in Milwaukee that would allow for bars and such to hire Milwaukee Police Officers to provide security, like at the ball games, these officers would be on-duty.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Several years ago a “Off Duty” Sheboygan Sheriff Deputy was comming home after doing off duty security at the PGA tour. Stop to help a motorist, was struck and killed.
Deputy was not on duty. But full benefits were paid as through he was. Someone should look into that possible fraud by the Sheboygan Sheriff Department. Lets open all the cans of worms
December 7th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Matt are you really that stupid or are you just a troll?
December 8th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Gee Michael,its sounds like your are the type of person, who thinks it is OK to get hurt playing football on your free time. Than on Monday morning telling your employer you got hurt at work? In order to collect workers comp, same thing a lie is a lie. It does not matter how you color it it is still wrong. So what is it? Is it ok so long as a different group does it?
If you are concerned about on or off duty, think of this if Sheriff Deputies are “On Duty 24 / 7, than I guess the Crandon Sheriff Deputy was “On Duty” when he shot all of those citizens. You can not have it both ways, this is NOT going away.
December 8th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
matt, mickey apparently believes in handouts. He must like that gubmint cheese. Doesn’t sound very conservative to me. Either the officer was on duty or he was not. Hint. He was NOT. If Mickey wants to pay his benefits out of pocket, I’m all for that.
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:43 am
F.Y.I.:
The formal complaint sent to the Sheboygan DA’s Office, reference the illegal activities concerning the Sheboygan Sheriff Department has still not been responded to. The Sheboygan DA DeCecco is still sitting on the complaint. Another citizen has also filed a similar complaint against the Sheboygan Sheriff Department concerning violations of WI Statutes 440,26 & 946.12, (2), (5).
In addition the Wisconsin Department of Regulations & Licensing was supposed to review two seperate complaints against the Sheboygan Sheriff Department Deputies doing illegal security in violation of 440.26. As well as a complaint against the Sheboygan Sheriff Departments Jailers and Jail Supervisor who this year were caught doing illegal security at the Sheboygan Brat Days Event. Both of these complaints were suposed to be reviewed by R&L on December 17th, 2007.
It is amazing how the systems sits on their hands when it involves one of their own???