Kenosha commission accepts officer retirement, dismisses complaint and holds closed session on hiring

The Kenosha Police and Fire Commission on June 17, 2025 approved the retirement of police officer John Wenberg, effective July 2, 2025, received and filed the police and fire department reports for May, voted to dismiss a citizen complaint filed in March and moved into closed session to discuss candidates for probationary appointment and review a pending complaint.

The actions were taken at a brief meeting presided over by President Helen Schumacher. The commission also acknowledged a long-serving outreach role held by Wenberg and congratulated the fire department on a consecutive EMS achievement award mentioned during the meeting.

The commission opened with roll call; Vice President Pamela Drummell, Secretary Felix Ramirez, Commissioner Frederick Dupree and Commissioner Ruffalo were present. After hearing no public comment, the commission approved the minutes of the May 20, 2025 meeting and then voted to receive and file the departments' May reports and correspondence related to the dismissal of a complaint filed in March 2025. Each of those motions was moved and seconded; the record shows the chair called the vote as "aye" and the motions carried.

The commission next approved the retirement of Police Officer John Wenberg, listed on the agenda as effective July 2, 2025. During the chief's remarks, the chief noted Wenberg had served in a crime-prevention and community outreach role that partnered with neighborhood watch efforts and worked out of the Boys and Girls Club; the chief said that position will need to be filled. Commissioners thanked department staff and noted Wenberg's community presence at local events, including youth athletics.

The meeting then moved to a motion to go into closed session to discuss candidates for appointment of a probationary officer and to review a complaint filed the previous month. A roll call was conducted; the commission recessed for closed session and later reconvened in open session. After reconvening, the commission said the final report on the complaint was not yet complete and asked that the matter be placed on the next agenda. The commission set its next meeting for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, and then adjourned.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes of the regular meeting held May 20, 2025 — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (vote tallies not specified). - Receive and file police and fire department reports for May 2025 — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (vote tallies not specified). - Receive and file correspondence: dismissal of complaint filed March 2025 — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (vote tallies not specified). - Retirement: Receive and file retirement of Police Officer John Wenberg, effective July 2, 2025 — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (vote tallies not specified). - Enter closed session to discuss candidates for appointment of probationary officer and to review a complaint filed last month — moved and seconded; outcome: approved by roll call (individual vote names recorded in the transcript as "yes").

The commission did not take further public action on the complaint; members said the commission expects a final report to be available for the next meeting and asked staff to place the item on the July agenda.