Marshfield Aldermen Ask City's Fire-and-Police Commission to Terminate Marshfield Police Chief

Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 -- 11:01 AM

(WDLB) Marshfield aldermen are asking the city's Fire-and-Police Commission to terminate Police Chief Rick Gramza.

According to WDLB, following a two-hour closed session, the Common Council voted 10-0 last night in favor of authorizing City Administrator Steve Barg to file formal employment-related charges against the Chief.

In a prepared statement after the meeting, Mayor Bob McManus said Barg would be filing those charges with the Commission today.  Under state statutes, McManus said the Commission will have to schedule a hearing date from 10-to-30 days after receiving the city's formal request.

The Mayor described last night's two-hour closed session as "tense".  The Mayor added that Tuesday's 10-0 vote by the Common Council showed that aldermen were in agreement with the Marshfield Professional Police Association, which cast a unanimous vote of "no confidence" in Chief Gramza November 10th.

Under state rules, McManus said the hearing in front of the Fire-and-Police Commission would need to take place between January 9th and 29th.  Gramza, who turns 48 next Friday, was charged in early November with five counts, three felony charges of misconduct in office for acting with excessive authority, one misdemeanor count of fourth-degree sexual assault and one misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.

Gramza's alleged victim brought allegations against the Chief dating back to 2015. He acknowledges a sexual relationship, but insists the contact was consensual. Gramza is free on a 10-thousand dollar signature bond, and is due back in Wood County Circuit Court for a preliminary hearing January 13th.

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