Town cop accused of misconduct for incident at strip club
By Vicky Wedig
SLN Staff
The Town of Delavan Police and Fire Commission will conduct an evidentiary hearing Dec. 10 to determine whether police Officer Jeremiah Burdick should be terminated for alleged misconduct.
The commission met Friday to discuss how the hearing will be conducted, said commission Chairman Todd Wiese, a City of Delavan police officer and township resident.
The hearing will be a quasi-judicial proceeding, which will resemble a courtroom trial but have less stringent rules than a criminal trial, Wiese said. The commission will hear testimony from witnesses for both sides – the Town of Delavan Police Department, which has called for Burdick’s termination, and Burdick, who has disputed the claims.
The claims stem from an Aug. 12 incident at the Vegas Gentlemen’s Club in the Town of Darien where Burdick allegedly drove to the club drunk, flashed his police badge to gain free admission and, once inside, harassed dancers and patrons.
Ordinance violations of disorderly conduct and open intoxicants were issued against Burdick, who is scheduled to go to trial on those citations Dec. 12 in Walworth County Circuit Court.
Town Police Chief Phillip Smith has asked the commission to terminate Burdick, saying his conduct has brought discredit and disrepute to the officer and the department.
Wiese said the Dec. 10 hearing will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the council chambers at Delavan City Hall, 123 S. Second St. He said the commission is expected to make a decision about Burdick’s discipline or termination within a couple of days after the hearing.
Burdick has been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 15.
