By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
After an incident in December, two City of Burlington police officers will be disciplined within the department.
While Police Chief Mark Anderson would not discuss details Monday, he said the internal investigation was completed Friday by the Village of Mount Pleasant Police Department.
The investigation found Lt. Brian Zmudzinski and officer Eric Mitchell were both in violation of department policies, though to differing degrees, Anderson said.
Mitchell was cited for a hit-and-run to property as well drunken driving and a prohibited alcohol concentration following an incident Dec. 16.
“Officer Mitchell was found to be in violation of several policies and procedures,” Anderson said. “These matters are being handled as a personnel issue.”
Mitchell remains employed by the department. Anderson declined to comment on the punishment due to it being a personnel matter.
The same was true of Zmudzinski’s situation.
“Lt. Zmudzinski was delayed in notifying me of the incident,” Anderson said. “This matter is being handled as a personnel issue.”
“Lt. Zmudzinski was not found to be in violation of any other policy or procedure,” Anderson said, adding that Zmudzinski will remain employed as lieutenant of the department.
Zmudzinski was back on the job this week, but there was no word on when Mitchell would return.
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Everyone has a lapse of good judgement from time to time. Law enforcement is always, unfairly, expected to be perfect. Glad to see the city sought an outside agency.
So…… Your saying when I decide to leave Lucky Star in my vehicle after drinking a few….. I hit a street pole……or heaven forbid a pedestrian……this same officer will treat me no different and accept that I had “a lapse of good judgement”? I highly doubt that but as usual “Profesional Courtesy” will take place……Keep your eyes on ccap and watch these officers get a simple slap on the wrist……
Yes, Laura, a lapse in judgment can always be excused. But when a police officer violates the laws he has sworn to uphold, he must be held accountable. Bottom line? Another example of the bad decision-making that seems to have permeated the City. Going back to the former City Administrator’s departure with an uncalled for payoff, the former police chief who violated his contract for so long that the City changed it to comply, the hiring of the fire chief and his subsequent removal with what appears to be a six-month paid notice of termination, to the poor judgment exercised by the new police chief in appointing a lieutenant who hosted a liquor-filled party and allowed one of his officers to drive home. The mayor needs to take ownership of all of these bad calls. Time for new leadership before Burlington becomes the laughing stock of Racine County.
Maybe you need to get facts start. They was no violation by the former Police Chief of his contract. I love it when people make comments without truly knowing the facts.
Gee, Brown, but my understanding is that the original contract called for him to move to Burlington. Which is a requirement most cities make of their chiefs. I would have thought his disregard of the residency provision was a violation of his contract. When his house in Jackson didn’t sell, the City gave him an extension. The house finally did sell but he moved to Menomonee Falls and not Burlington, still some 40 miles from his work! The provision was removed when his contract was renewed. But I repeat . . . that’s my understanding.
A “liquor-filled party”…or having a friend/co-worker over where alcohol was consumed? I believe the officer is being held accountable, he was cited and disciplined. Everyone makes mistakes, not condoning his behavior, but don’t believe he should lose his job. I don’t see where the Lieutenant was at fault? He was not driving the vehicle…delaying notifying his boss? Really? I think it seems it has all been blown out of proportion. Officer Mitchell has served the community for a number of years and made such a positive impact, I would hate to see him lose his job over one mistake.
It is true anyone can have an occasional “lapse of good judgement from time to time” but the law is the law. These two officers know that more than anyone. Are we to hold them to a higher standard than ordinary citizens? I believe so. I look out on my lawn and see the sign that says ” I Back The Badge”. I back those who serve and protect us. I do not back lawlessness among police officers at any level.
To the holier – than – thou committee:
1. Everyone makes mistakes, yes even Police officers (crazy, right?)
2. The article clearly states one officer was cited and both were disciplined, so I’m not sure what was “swept under the rug”.
3. A lieutenant threw an “alcohol fuled party” , like an adult has a legal right to do, or do police officers forfeit thier rights when they join the force?
4. These officers, as with all BPD officers and staff , are an asset to this community
Its not a Holie than tho thing Bryan. Certain jobs require you to be held to a higher standard. Its unacceptable for a police office to make this mistake…sorry it just is.
I am self employed and have keys to businesses I work in…if I lose that key…a simple honest mistake sometimes…I lose that job…end of story.
If you dont want those higher standards…dont take a job like a police officer.
Sure he can make the mistake…but as a police officer it is unacceptable and he should lose his job.
Wow you’re tough. Imagine if a city administrator/employee demonstrated his/her incompetence and bad judgement every time it snowed – bet you’d look like a sweet potato on fire then I bet. Personally don’t see anything wrong with this – drunk cops n cover ups happen out in the wild west all the time, my 3rd wife is from out there, case closed. Hypocrite.
Wow…so drunk driving is equal to snow plowing? With all this complaining its no wonder you have had 3 wives.
Yes, Bryan . . . I agree with three of your above points but not with #3. A lieutenant, the assistant chief, second-in-command over the entire department, has a moral responsibility in his leadership role to ensure that his officers don’t break the laws they are sworn to enforce.
He certainly has the right to host a party with alcohol on the menu. That right ends, however, when my life becomes endangered because of a reckless and illegal act by a person sworn to uphold the very laws they are breaking.
Well, I’d have to agree nothing has been swept under the rug. If that were the case, he never would have been arrested. In looking at what he was charged with, it appears it’s a non-criminal offense. So, while there is a higher standard and duty to conduct themselves with higher regard, he is human and I think allowed a very small margin for error.
With that said, significant discipline for a one time non- criminal offense would be appropriate. Losing his job for this does not seem appropriate. Remember the Waterford cop that shot her gun off drunk….let off with a ticket and now promoted to full time. The Racine County DA…Hit and run, OWI, and obstructing (lying)….still on the job.