Recent complaints have surfaced that are directed towards the Neenah police chief for his handling of the officer-involved shooting death of Michael Funk. A new complaint details a history of “disingenuous and disgusting conduct” by the chief.
The Appleton Post-Crescent reports:
Two former lawmen lodged a complaint Saturday with the Neenah Police Commission demanding the removal of Police Chief Kevin Wilkinson.
Investigative consultants Ira Robins and Salvatore Rastrelli, operating as Archangels of Justice, mailed the complaint from Florida. A copy was emailed to USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
The complaint is critical of Wilkinson for his handling of the Dec. 5 death of Michael L. Funk, who was fatally shot by officers Craig Hoffer and Robert Ross after he escaped from an armed hostage-taker at Eagle Nation Cycles.
“Given his disingenuous and disgusting conduct, his waste of taxpayer money, and his failure to protect and serve the citizens of the city of Neenah, there is absolutely no reasonable excuse for the Neenah Police Commission to continue to employ and pay Kevin Wilkinson as chief of police,” the complaint says. “If his contract is an issue, he should be employed in some low-level capacity until it expires. He must be removed as chief immediately.”
Robins and Rastrelli have been looking into Funk’s death at the request of Eagle Nation Cycles owner Steve Erato. They submitted the complaint on behalf of Erato, Funk, Funk’s family, hostage Ryan Moderson, hostage Michael Petersen, Tom and Kay Reetz, and “all residents of the city of Neenah.”
The mailing came two days after the Post-Crescent Editorial Board published an opinion piece saying Wilkinson is no longer qualified to lead the Neenah Police Department and must go.
City Attorney Jim Godlewski said Robins and Rastrelli’s complaint was under review. “I don’t have any comment on the substance right now,” he said.
For more, visit, Post-Crescent.
