Town of Beloit police officer accused of misconduct
IF YOU GO
What: Town of Beloit Police and Fire Disciplinary Review Committee hearing
When: 9 a.m. Tuesday
Where: Town of Beloit Hall, 2871 S. Afton Road, Beloit.
Details: Chief John Wilson has filed charges against office Mike Bogdonas. The hearing is open to the public.
BELOIT TOWNSHIP — Town of Beloit Police Chief John Wilson has filed charges against one of his officers and requests the officer be suspended for up to 90 days.
A recently appointed disciplinary committee will hold a hearing and could act on the matter Tuesday.
Wilson on Sept. 22 filed a document listing five charges against officer Mike Bogdonas. The charges were a result of a complaint filed by a resident after Bogdonas responded to a July 12 domestic incident.
The charges accuse Bogdonas of behaving in a manner unbecoming an officer, being disloyal to the police department and lying, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by the Gazette.
According to the complaint:
-- During the July 12 incident, Bogdonas told a family member involved in the July 12 incident that if Bogdonas wasn’t “a cop, I’d probably go over and punch” his own mother-in-law in the head.
-- Bogdonas talked extensively about his personal life during the response.
-- Bogdonas told an accused batterer he would have done the same thing.
-- During the incident, Bogdonas talked about internal matters at the police department. He mentioned recent disputes and investigations in the department and spoke negatively about Wilson and Town Administrator Bob Museus.
-- During an internal investigation of the matter, Bogdonas denied the accusations against him. He made false and misrepresentative statements.
His actions at the July 12 incident and his responses during the investigation violate the police department’s code of conduct, according to the charging document.
The disciplinary hearing will look a lot like a court hearing, town attorney Bill Henderson said. The three committee members will hear testimony from both sides, he said.
Then the committee will go into closed session to make a decision, Henderson said. The committee’s decision is final and will not need to go to the town board for approval, he said.
The committee could take up to three days to make a decision, Henderson said.
The committee members are Robert Harris, Karl Salzberg and Dee Nyre.
Because the town does not have a police committee, state statutes allow it to appoint a disciplinary committee or hearing officer when necessary, Henderson said.
Recently, Bogdonas was one of three department members investigated by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
A resident had accused Bogdonas of calling him in January and sharing information about a criminal investigation.
In May, Rock County District Attorney David O’Leary closed the case against Bogdonas and declined to file charges.
A second investigation turned up the fact that Wilson had told a waitress about the sheriff’s investigation. She told Sgt. Willie Abegglen, who told Bogdonas.
Abegglen was suspended for three days without pay. Wilson received a letter of reprimand.
Nov 27, 2009 at 3:50 p.m.
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One wonders why Bogdonas would settle if he were not guilty of lying? Maybe there is evidence he doesn't want out in the public eye? Aren't all the Town of Beloit PD police cars equipped with video cameras that record what the cops do?
Nov 27, 2009 at 3:37 p.m.
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So why would the town settle if they thought they could nail Bogdonas to the wall?
One, has to wonder?
Nov 27, 2009 at 10:48 a.m.
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wow im so shocked about this accusation!lol i guess he wont be getting anything good in his christmas stocking,oh wait,he might be getting the boot!lol
Nov 25, 2009 at 11:08 p.m.
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Wonderful post Daisy.
Nov 25, 2009 at 8:32 p.m.
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What is easier is not always right. The Chief has been there since 2003. If the problem was the Chief, why hasn't there ever been anything before a year ago? The department as a whole did a decent job, the officers were law-abiding, there were no news stories about the alleged misconduct of the Chief. Not only that, but the Chief has 36 years in law enforcement. If he was the problem, it would have come out before this. Talk to people from his previous departments, again, nothing like this ever before. Then go look at the backgrounds of certain officers on that department, specifically those behind the alleged no-confidence vote. Guess what you will find? The problem isn't the Chief. Read this article again and the followup article, there's 1 part of the problem. I for one am looking forward to when the records on this incident are fully available to the public. Do some open records requests on the former detective, the former deputy chief and you will find out why they no longer hold those positions. It has nothing to do with a "witch hunt" and everything to do with their own shortcomings and lack of fitness for the positions. But then again, most people tend to blame others for wrongdoing and refuse to take responsibility for anything. Again, check the open records. The Chief took responsibility for what he did but not for what were flat-out lies and false accusations.
Nov 25, 2009 at 4:13 a.m.
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Easier to change out 20 officers or change out a chief?
Nov 24, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.
Nov 24, 2009 at 8:19 a.m.
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Yeah, amazed. I remember that issue, too. If this story is true, it sounds like it should fall under the category of "Do as I say; not as I do". Hm.
Nov 24, 2009 at 7:27 a.m.
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It's sounds like they need to clean house starting with the chief and right on down to that idiot Bogdonas.
Nov 24, 2009 at 1:04 a.m.
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Sounds like someones ready to go work in Darien. Maybe Beloit Township can swap some officers with them! Ahhh what a little power does to some people!
Nov 23, 2009 at 11:22 p.m.
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Well, I certainly hope there's another side to the story, because this one is pretty ugly and unprofessional.
Nov 23, 2009 at 11:20 p.m.
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niceone, I don't ethics classes will help people who have no ethics to begin with, but hey it was a good thought. kman 53, that is an excellent idea. Get rid of the criminals, liars and trouble-makers and get decent officers in there to work with the few ethical, law-abiding members of the department. There may be something worse than cops that break more laws than the criminals they arrest, but there isn't much worse.
Nov 23, 2009 at 11:07 p.m.
Nov 23, 2009 at 10:42 p.m.
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Not trying to be judgmental here, but this upcoming hearing reminds me of the Salem witch trials.
Nov 23, 2009 at 7:32 p.m.
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Well said Mixie
Nov 23, 2009 at 7:23 p.m.
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You tell 'em Mixie
Nov 23, 2009 at 7:11 p.m.
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There are three sides to every story. The two sides you hear and what actually happened.
To those of you who 'think' you know everything going on and are passing judgments, shame on you. Its unfortunate that there are so many people in society today like you, who make situations worse by talking with out knowing ALL the facts.
If you do know 'everything' going on, then you shouldn't be posting 'rants' on the internet about it. Be an adult and deal with this face to face.
Nov 23, 2009 at 6:29 p.m.
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I bet Bogdonas' Mother In Law isn't to happy to be reading the supposed comment made by him. Sounds like Beloit Township Police Department needs some Ethics classes!
Nov 23, 2009 at 6:22 p.m.
Nov 23, 2009 at 5:33 p.m.
Nov 23, 2009 at 5:08 p.m.
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These people should be patroling Mayberry....
Nov 23, 2009 at 4:36 p.m.
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Naughty Naughty Naughty
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