WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |UPDATE: Onalaska Police&Fire Comm. still discussing Walker case
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ONALASKA, Wisconsin (WXOW) - UPDATED: Behind closed doors, the Onalaska Police and Fire Commission continues to discuss the case of Investigator John Walker.
Walker's job is on the line for what Police Chief Jeffrey Trotnic charges are several violations of department policy. Trotnic wants Walker fired for the way he handled an investigation in July. Walker has been on administrative leave since August.
According to a spokesperson at City Hall, there is no guarantee that the commission will reach a resolution to the case is going to happen Wednesday.
Below are other stories detailing the background to Tuesday's testimony during a hearing into the allegations made by Trotnic.
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ONALASKA, Wisconsin (WXOW) - A closed door meeting today may decide the fate of an Onalaska Police Department investigator in trouble for violating department policies.
The Police and Fire Commission meets Wednesday morning at Onalaska's City Hall to discuss Chief Jeffrey Trotnic's charges against Investigator John Walker.
Testimony before the panel took place much of Tuesday.
No word on whether there will be a final decision announced on Walker's case. When he brought a statement of charges against Walker in August, Chief Trotnic recommended that Walker be fired.
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Onalaska, WI (WXOW)-A 23-year Onalaska Police Department veteran is accused of violating six department policies in connection with a car break-in investigation that happened in July.
Onalaska Police Chief JeffreyTrotnic says Investigator John Walker should be fired.
Both sides made their case before the City of Onalaska's Police and Fire Commission on Tuesday.
Chief Trotnic accuses Walker of violating department rules by showing a witness a photograph of the suspect rather than a composite set of photos.
Such tactics sometimes lead to false identifications.
Walker is accused of then trying to cover up what he did.
When asked Tuesday whether he intended to cover anything up, Walker replied no. He admits to conducting a photo line up improperly.
Walker faces possible termination on the allegations that he had a witness improperly identify a suspect and failed to report it.
"It was not intentionally omitted. I felt that I corrected the line up and proceeded on no intent to hide anything," says Walker.
Closing arguments were waived.
The Police and Fire Commission will meet again on Wednesday in closed session to deliberate and reach a decision.
