The Viroqua Police Commission held a meeting and public hearing Nov. 30 to discuss charges filed by the mayor against Chief of Police Richard Niedfeldt.
Niedfeldt has been on paid leave.
According to News 8 Now/News 8000, Mayor Justin Running filed five charges against Niedfeldt. The charges relate to insubordination, failing to report the harassment of a fellow officer and lying to the public.
News 8 Now/News 8000 reported: “The mayor also accused the chief of communicating with the public without former mayor Karen Mischel’s authorization, and lying to a citizen about the number of public meetings regarding the department’s ‘Thin Blue Line’ logo.
“The mayor also accused Niedfeldt of labeling an officer as ‘Under Investigation’ in a database, which was inaccurate.”
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Charles Wenten, former Grafton police chief, conducted the investigation.
News 8 Now/News 8000 also reported that the Viroqua police chief is also accused of failing to follow the mayor’s orders, and failing to meet and create a traffic report. During his testimony, Niedfeldt denied each accusation.
The police commission heard from several witnesses. After about five hours of testimony, the police commission called for a recess, and plans to review a transcript of the hearing when they meet Dec. 7.
Niedfeldt started his job as Viroqua’s police chief on Sept. 30, 2019.
When officials unfurled a 25-foot rainbow flag in front of Colorado Springs City Hall this week, people gathered to mourn the victims of a mass shooting at a popular gay club help but reflect on how such a display of support would have been unthinkable just days earlier. With a growing and diversifying population, the city nestled at the foothills of the Rockies is a patchwork of disparate social and cultural fabrics. It's a place full of art shops and breweries; megachurches and military bases; a liberal arts college and the Air Force Academy. For years it's marketed itself as an outdoorsy boomtown with a population set to top Denver's by 2050. But last weekend's shooting has raised uneasy questions about the lasting legacy of cultural conflicts that caught fire decades ago and gave Colorado Springs a reputation as a cauldron of religion-infused conservatism, where LGBTQ people didn't fit in with the most vocal community leaders' idea of family values.
José Irizarry says they called themselves "Team America," a group of jet-setting agents and prosecutors who were supposed to be fighting the war on drugs. But he says they all knew that war was unwinnable.
IN PHOTOS & VIDEOS: A look back on November in the Coulee Region
Rotary Lights volunteer Tom Fell of West Salem puts some finishing touches on the candy canes at the north end of Riverside Park. The annual holiday display opens Friday evening at 5 p.m. A parade starting at Sixth and Main streets and ending at the park also starts at 5 p.m. Friday.
Ray Kirchhoff with the Sparta Street Department adjusts a bow on a holiday wreath while hanging them with his crew on Water Street downtown.
West Salem's Adam Schams, left and Aaron Manke congratulate each other on a great season after the conclusion of Friday's WIAA Division 3 state championship game.
The West Salem lines up for the National Anthem.
West Salem students cheer on the Panthers as they take the field.
The Aquinas dance team performs at halftime.
Players scramble for the ball after an Aquinas fumble.
Aquinas senior wide receiver Collin Conzemius celebrates a touchdown during Thursday's WIAA Division 5 state championship game. The Blugolds beat Mayville 22-14.
Aquinas players celebrate their WIAA Division 5 state football championship Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Bethlehem Event volunteer, Peter Bemis, is dressed as a shepherd Tuesday on the site of the re-creation of the ancient city at English Lutheran Church. The interactive spectacle re-creates the city of David at the time Jesus Christ was born.
Khadijah Islam, right, with Coulee Connections, volunteers setting up for Rotary Lights with her students Tuesday at Riverside Park. Rotary Lights opens for its 28th year on Nov. 25.
Construction continues on Mayo Clinic Health System's new hospital.
Construction remains on schedule on the site of Mayo Clinic health system’s new hospital.
Jon Limdahl with the city of La Crosse collects leaves Monday on Mississippi Street. Citywide leaf collection runs through Friday, Nov. 18.
