Posted: 7/19/05
Officer Stemper to return to work
Caledonia Police Officer James Stemper, who has been on paid leave since November 23, 2004, will be reinstated to the Caledonia Police Department following a 60-day unpaid leave.
The Caledonia City Council approved the agreement with Stemper at a special meeting Monday night.
Stemper was put on administrative leave after being charged in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, with obstructing an officer during an investigation, reckless driving and failure to obey a traffic officer. The charges stemmed from a September 11, 2004 incident in which he was accused of fleeing a Winona County officer on his motorcycle and abandoning it in the parking lot of a bar in Buffalo County, Wisconsin. He was being pursued for speeding and a loud muffler. When he returned to claim his motorcycle, he told a deputy that another person was driving the cycle.
Last month, Stemper pled no contest to the charges of fleeing an officer and reckless driving and paid a fine of $523. The obstruction charge was dropped.
Under the agreement, Stemper will be on unpaid leave for 60 days beginning July 18 and forfeit all his accrued vacation time and comp time, a total of 20 days. He will be on probation until July 17, 2006. In addition, he must abstain from alcohol, must not enter a bar or tavern unless on official police business, furnish the city with a copy of the alcohol assessment which was was required by Buffalo County; and write a letter of apology. He must turn in his keys while on leave.
Voting in favor were Paul Fisch, Mike Morey and Robert Standish. Vick voted nay and Gary Klug abstained.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com