City of Marshfield Cuts Ties With Police Chief

Friday, March 5th, 2021 -- 2:00 PM

(WDLB) Embattled Marshfield Police Chief Rick Gramza resigns immediately, under the terms of a voluntary separation agreement approved by the Common Council.

According to WDLB, at a special meeting yesterday morning, Marshfield Aldermen voted 8-2 to accept the agreement, which was explained briefly by Kyle Gulya, the attorney representing the city in the matter.

Alderman Ken Bargender joined Alderman Quentin Rosandich in voting against the agreement.  Alderman Ed Wagner voted in favor of the agreement, but was hesitant to do so, saying the city has not yet heard Gramza’s side of the full story.

The settlement agreement avoids a series of hearings scheduled to start next week to look into Gramza’s possible termination, based on employment-related charges filed by the city back in December.

The Council also voted 8-2 to withdraw those charges against Gramza, thus eliminating the need for eight hearings in front of the city’s Police-and-Fire Commission that were scheduled between March 10th and 25th.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Gramza will continue to receive his regular hourly wage and health care benefit package through August of this year, along with payment for any unused vacation time and personal days, as well as any unpaid mileage expenses.

In a written statement, City Administrator Steve Barg said he is “pleased the city no longer must expend tremendous costs and emotional toll on witnesses to have Chief Gramza’s removal hearing before the City of Marshfield Fire & Police Commission.”

He goes on to say, “our police department, city staff and our community deserve to move on and move forward.” Barg also said Gramza’s conduct was disturbing and disdainful to him, and took a heavy toll on city employees.

Barg also said the discipline removal hearing process is an expensive public hearing process, and would have forced employees and members of the community to testify regarding highly personal and sensitive information.

Gramza is still facing two misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree sexual assault and disorderly conduct in connection with a criminal case in Wood County, involving a female police officer who brought allegations against the chief last year.

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