Crime & Safety

Village Board Member Irked With Gun Pointing Case

As the case lags on, Jerry Griswold says the taxpayer has a right to a speedier case.

A Village Board member requested a status report on a criminal case involving a Caledonia Police officer who was suspended with pay.

Jerry Griswold asked staff at the Village Board meeting Tuesday to find out the status of Curtis Schollmeier’s criminal case because Griswold feels the case is dragging out and costing taxpayers money.

“I’m not happy with it,” Griswold said. “I think the police department is being punished with being down a man and the taxpayers are really being punished…. I’m a firm believer that a man is innocent until proven guilty. But I also think the taxpayers have a right to a speedier trial.”

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Schollmeier, 38, was suspended with pay in December after the Racine County district attorney's office charged him with a misdemeanor count of intentionally pointing firearm at person in November 2008. If convicted, he could be sentenced to nine months in jail.

The Racine Police Department investigated the allegation, which came to light last summer, a criminal complaint says.

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According to the complaint, Schollmeier and other officers were ending their shift on Nov. 22, 2008. An officer said jokes were made about Schollmeier not being on the road because he was doing squad maintenance.

He is set to stand trial starting June 21 before Racine County Circuit Court Judge John S. Jude. The trial date was set when Schollmeier appeared in February, court records show.

“Since we’re paying someone to be on suspension with pay, there seems to be no incentive for him and his lawyer to settle case. I think this is dragging on in my opinion,” Griswold said.

Tom Lebak, the village administrator, said he would look into the matter and report back to the Village Board.


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