NEWS

DOJ completes review of controversial Green Bay arrest

Doug Schneider
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
  • Green Bay police received the state%27s review Tuesday%2C but won%27t yet say what it concluded
  • Video shows officer taking man to the ground and apparently striking him
  • Source says police review found that Wicklund didn%27t use excessive force

The state Department of Justice has completed its review of a controversial April arrest that spawned a viral video and prompted criticism of the Green Bay Police Department.

Police officials received the report Tuesday afternoon, but said it's too early to discuss the findings.

"We still have to sit down with the chief and review this," said Lt. Jeff Brester, a department spokesman. He could not say when the findings would be made public.

Police Chief Tom Molitor declined comment Tuesday, saying the deparrtment is still reviewing the report.

The department and DOJ reviewed an arrest that Officer Derek Wicklund, 37, made on April 19 outside Stir-Ups Parlor & Saloon on South Washington Street. A YouTube video of the arrest shows Wicklund taking 29-year-old Caledonia resident Joshua Wenzel to the ground and apparently striking him. Wenzel was ticketed on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Wicklund has 12 days, beginning Wednesday, to review the report before it can be released, according to police.

A source familiar with the investigation said last week that the department's investigation had concluded that Wicklund's actions were justified. Department officials have not commented on the contents of the report.

DOJ spokeswoman Dana Brueck said Tuesday that the department's Training and Standards Bureau reviewed "whether the use of force tactics used in this incident were consistent with the defense and arrest tactics training approved by the Law Enforcement Standards Board."

"The Department of Justice is not 'investigating' the incident, or making a judgment as to whether the use of force is proper," Brueck said in an email. "We've reviewed whether the tactics deployed are consistent with basic preparatory academy training."

She would not say what the review concluded.

Wicklund has remained on administrative duty pending the outcome of the state's review, police officials said Thursday.

City Attorney Anthony S. Wachewicz III said last week that he estimates the city will be able to make the results of the reviews public the week of July 14. He was in a meeting Tuesday afternoon and unavailable for comment.

— dschneid@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @PGDougSchneider