Marshfield Police and Fire Commission Set Dates for Hearing Regarding Police Chief

Friday, February 12th, 2021 -- 1:01 PM

(WDLB) Marshfield’s Police-and-Fire Commission will spend at least eight days next month hearing evidence both for and against the termination of Police Chief Rick Gramza.

According to WDLB, the Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday in favor of holding the hearings March 10th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th and 25th.

City Administrator Steve Barg says attorneys for both Gramza and the city will present and cross examine witnesses, so the hearings will take on the look and feel of a trial.

The Common Council voted unanimously in late December in favor of authorizing 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.

The Portage County judge hearing Gramza’s criminal case says he’ll decide next week whether enough evidence exists to charge Gramza with felony misconduct in public office. Judge Thomas Eagon will hold another hearing in the case on February 18th.

Gramza remains free on a 10-thousand dollar 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.

In the meantime, he remains on paid administrative leave, and continues to receive a salary-and-benefit package from the city totaling just over 146-thousand dollars, including an annual base wage of 104-thousand-500 dollars.

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