UPDATED: Mendota Heights Police Chief Under Investigation for Ethics Violations

Update (5:16 p.m., Feb. 10, 2012) 

Mendota Heights Police Chief Mike Aschenbrener is being investigated by the Carver County Sheriff’s office after Mendota Heights police officers accused him of ethical and criminal violations.

A letter of complaint by Mendota Heights police officers claims Aschenbrener ignored or declined to investigate incidents of police misconduct involving the theft of a picnic table, a cell phone, and a Dakota County Drug Task Force bag, according to Fox 9 News.

confirmed that he received the letter last Thursday, at which time he submitted the complaint to Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson for investigation.

Aschenbrener is still operating in his capacity as chief, according to Miller. The city administrator said he consulted with the city’s legal counsel and determined that a leave “was not needed at this time, though that is something that can always change.”

The letter of complaint had been submitted to the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), who then forwarded the letter to Miller. Miller could not say how many officers filed the complaint.

Paul Monteen of POST said that they receive about 150 complaint letters a year, and operate as an impartial recipient.

 Sandra Krebsbach, the mayor of Mendota Heights, told Patch that the investigation will not affect public safety in the city.

Aschenbrener has been chief of police in Mendota Heights since 2003. He started his career with the police department in Forest Lake, where he achieved a rank of acting chief. He also worked as an instructor for Alexandria Technical College.  He holds a masters degree in Police Leadership and Education from the University of St. Thomas and holds a management certificate from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, according to his bio.

Original story (2:46 p.m., Feb. 10, 2012): Mendota Heights Police Chief Under Investigation for Ethics Violations

Mendota Heights Police Chief Mike Aschenbrener is being investigated by the Carver County Sheriff’s office after his officers accused him of ethical and criminal violations, according to Fox 9 News.

The Mendota Heights police union wrote a letter to the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) accusing Aschenbrener of ignoring or declining to investigate incidents of police misconduct involving the theft of a picnic table, a cell phone, and a Dakota County Drug Task Force bag.

Sandra Krebsbach, the mayor of Mendota Heights, told Patch that the investigation will not affect public safety in the city.

Mendota Heights City Administrator Justin Miller told FOX 9 News that the city “takes the allegations seriously.”

We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available.

In other media:

Pioneer Press

FOX 9 News 

Star Tribune