Sheboygan Police Department
Sexual harassment within the Sheboygan Police Department has been brought to light, resulting in disciplinary action according to WisconsinWatch.org.
An article published by the online media outlet alleges that a three-months-long internal investigation by the SPD revealed a “raft of sexual misconduct” by both men and women in the department, and that four male officers had sexually harassed female colleagues. According to the release, three of those male officers also committed other serious policy violations, including not following supervisors’ orders and neglecting their duties. As a result of the harassment, one victim had resigned and another, who said the harassment included the distribution of a partially-nude photograph without her knowledge or consent – was straining her relationships with other officers, and she worried about remaining with the department.
While recommendations for discipline from the SPD Captain were more severe, Police Chief Christopher Domalgalski reportedly reduced the measures impose to those of one-and two-week suspensions. In total, 12 officers out of the 62-officer patrol force, or about one-in-five, were disciplined or verbally admonished in 2021 as a result of the internal investigations, and at least three female officers resigned as a result of, or by mentioning, frustrations about the department.
Only two officers – Bryan Pray and Nicholas Helland – were disciplined for sexual harassment. According to Wisconsinwatch.org, police sought to shield the name of the officer central to the third sexual harassment investigation, but a redaction error identified him as Stephen Schnabel.
According to the online report of the investigation, the SPD “failed to protect the women who came forward, instead exposing one to retaliation.” The report went on to allege that “Supervisors did not criminally investigate whether officers may have committed pornography-related crimes.”
Among other findings, Wisconsinwatch.org alleges that Sheboygan city leaders did not hold the police accountable, and instead “initially decided to hire outside attorneys to ensure the department properly addressed harassment complaints but discontinued the review after a female police officer filed a discrimination complaint against the city with the state Department of Workforce Development’s Equal Rights Division.” Accordingly, and by the account of the Wisconsin Watch.org account, the City denied any wrongdoing or liability in connection with the eventual $110,000 settlement.
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