Officer Speaks Out Against Chief's Bigotry
By Tom Murray
PEWAUKEE - A Pewaukee police officer gave his first interview to TODAY'S TMJ4 about sexist and racist comments made by his chief.
Officer Robert Kraemer is a 15-year veteran on the City of Pewaukee police force and the department's 2003 employee of the year. He claims he was demoted for testifying against the chief during an internal investigation.
Kraemer said Chief Gary Bach's conduct is so foul and offensive that he had to come forward.
"If the public wants someone that's a racist and has no respect for women, then they have the right chief of police," Kraemer told TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray.
The internal investigation found Bach used derogatory language in reference to people inside and outside the department. The report said the chief referred to women using profane words that begin with c and b. It said Bach used words "fat a**" and "big a**" when speaking about male and female employees. The report said Bach called minorities "monkeys" and used the "n" word. The investigation revealed Bach sent "e-mails with sexual content" and has "sexual pictures in his office."
"The things said are just inappropriate from any member of our police department, much less the chief of police," said Kraemer.
Mayor Scott Klein punished Bach by suspending him for 10 days without pay. Kraemer called that punishment a slap on the wrist.
"There's police humor, yes, but not in this manner," Kraemer said. "Pornographic e-mails, that's not police humor. Referring to females with the 'c' word is not police humor. Using racist comments, that's not police humor."
Kraemer claims he lost his position as community services officer for speaking out. Now he's on paid leave with an uncertain future.
"I've gone through an emotional roller coaster here," Kraemer said. "I'm doing the right thing and it seems like it's falling on deaf ears."
Kraemer has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Pewaukee and Bach. He's asking for his job back and $300,000 in compensatory damages.
Paul Bucher, an attorney for Gary Bach, told TODAY'S TMJ4 that Kraemer is speaking out against Bach because Kraemer wants to be chief. Kraemer said that is not true.
"There was no vindictiveness at all on my part," said Kraemer.
Kraemer's lawyer, William Rettko, was at his side during the interview with TODAY'S TMJ4. The interview was conducted at Rettko's law office in Brookfield.
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