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Saturday, August 28, 1999
By TONY ZIEBOL Journal Staff Writer SLEEPY EYE -- In a special meeting held by the city council August 18, city officials and members of the police department addressed three grievances filed by members of the city police force. It had been requested by police officers Don Mickelson, John Schueller and Robert Paulson to have a closed meeting, but two of the three grievances were allowed to remain open to the public, with the officers agreeing. The first grievance, filed by Schueller, was chosen by Schueller to be closed due to data privacy. Verbal and written reprimands given by Police Chief Elvin Braman were the subject of the grievance. After reviewing the interviews and investigations, the council decided that the March 12 verbal reprimand would stay on file for six months. The two written reprimands were withdrawn since Schueller was on medical leave at the time of the reprimands and his signature on the document only meant that it was delivered, and not necessarily accepted. The second grievance filed, again by Schueller, was allowed to be open. Schueller had accused officer Dale Roiger of breaching data privacy and making a demeaning reference to a fellow officer. Roiger had written a letter to the Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch, which was published in the June 10 issue. Schueller felt the letter was degrading and that it singled him out. Roiger pointed out that Schueller's name was not in the article and claimed he had written the article as a civilian and not as an officer. Chief Braman backed him up by quoting from the City of Sleepy Eye Policies and Procedures Manual under the section titled, "Rules of conduct for police officers." In this it states that the rules "shall not prevent officers from engaging in the free expression of political speech" or "...express views on political issues or other matters of public concern." The council recommended Roiger write a letter of apology and he agreed to do so within one week, which the council unanimously approved. Schueller, Mickelson and Paulson filed the third grievance, accusing Roiger of attempting to terminate the employment of three senior officers. According to Sellner, Roiger made the statement: "The only way we're going to smooth out the department is if those three guys are gone." Roiger agreed to keep the grievance open to the public. He admitted to making the statement, except for the fact that he said "two officers," instead of three. Roiger also said he intended to mean when they retire and not to have the officers immediately fired. Braman wrote letters to all the police officers in an attempt to resolve the issue and said Roiger was spoken to after the incident. Braman also tried to create a new policy, but the grievance was filed before he could do so. The council voted to give Roiger a verbal reprimand with no other stipulations. "I thought (the decisions) were fair," said city councilman Harold Windschitl. Braman said it's too soon to tell what the impact of the decisions will be. "I have to abide by these decisions," he said. "If it solves the problem it's the right thing to do. Time will tell if they were the right decisions." The council reached decisions on these three grievances, but the continuing problems in the police department remain unsolved. "I feel that we still don't have a chief that can organize (the officers) or arrange them." Braman disagreed with Windschitl's viewpoint. "He's entitled to his opinion," he said. "It's the old adage, 'You can lead the horse to water but you can't make them drink.' This problem had existed prior to my coming here. "I have tried to institute policies so (the officers) can take care of their differences. They have chosen not to do so." Braman also said he has approached the city council before and they didn't have any answers for him. "I haven't received the support from the city council to take care of the problem," he said. "The council has tied my hands."
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