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Highland residents split over police chief as board continues confidential personnel review
Summary
The town board said it met with the labor attorney regarding a personnel matter involving Police Chief Jans and that a decision will be made and released when appropriate; public commenters both condemned and defended the chief during an extended floor session.
The Highland Town Board said during Tuesday’s meeting that it has met with the town’s labor attorney and will continue to meet with Police Chief Jans about a personnel matter, but it declined to disclose details while the review remains confidential.
Members of the public addressed the board in two sharply contrasting blocs. Some residents expressed shock and said social-media posts by the chief were unacceptable for a public official. "What I saw on Facebook is horrific," said Kim Bonorf, identifying herself as a 21-year Navy veteran, and urging the board not to retain a chief who posts material she called inappropriate.
Other residents strongly defended the chief's long service. "Chief Jans is an excellent chief of police. He has been here for every person in this community," said Jim Delicado South, who urged the board to make a decision and told fellow residents he supported the chief.
Board members told the public the matter was handled as a confidential personnel proceeding and that the town had engaged the labor attorney. "They have met with the labor attorney and they've discussed it," one board member said from the dais, adding that the board plans to meet further with the chief and that some outcome will be made public when legally appropriate.
Members of the public repeatedly asked when a public announcement would be made; a board member said they anticipated something "within the next couple weeks." The transcript records strong emotions on both sides but does not record a final board determination.
What’s next: the board indicated it will continue consulting with counsel and the chief. Because it is a personnel matter the board described as confidential, it said it will release the factual outcome when doing so complies with legal constraints.
Reporting note: The article uses public comment and the board's remarks; the transcript includes multiple variations in the spelling of the chief’s name (Jans / Janso / Jenso) — this story uses the spelling most consistently used in public comment during the meeting and treats reported social-media content as a subject of board review rather than a verified disciplinary finding.
