DENISON, Iowa (KTIV) -
UPDATED STORY:
A group of protesters walked the streets of Denison, Iowa Wednesday.
At the heart of the protest are lewd images allegedly created on a computer by the city's police chief.
Denison, Iowa's chief-of-police is at the center of a controversy in the Crawford County town.
"Our hope is justice to be honest either John gets removed off his chief-of-police or something because a little slap on the wrist ain't gonna do nothing," said Alfonso Ochoa Jr.
One officer, and one former officer, claim Chief John Emswiler created lewd pictures while on duty that some may consider racist and pornographic. Ray Ohl is one of the men making the accusations.
"You're held to a higher standard being a police officer and that's something you should take to heart," said former Denison police officer, Ray Ohl.
Ohl says, what he calls, "harassment" started in 2002.
"He's got pictures on there that he'll photoshop of employees, of HIS employees, his subordinates and he'll photoshop their heads on different stuff," said former Denison police officer, Ray Ohl.
The city attorney, who was indirectly involved with the matter, says there was information on the chief's computer that somehow got onto the department's shared drive.
"The mayor investigated the allegations that were raised by Ohl and determined that disciplinary action was appropriate with regard to the chief. He administered that discipline in accordance with the policy of the city and the city considers this matter closed," said Denison city attorney, Derrick Franck.
The city attorney can't say what that disciplinary action was. Mayor Daniel Leinen could not comment on-camera due to legal liabilities, but he said he believes the city "used correct protocol" and he "does not agree with what the chief-of-police did."
But, Ohl says Emswiler was written up. He says that's not enough and protesters agree. Senior patrol officer Bradley Wendt took around 50 pictures, that he attributes to Emswiler, to the city.
"They wanted someone to take it to the mayor or city council and they couldn't find anybody to do that so they asked me to do that so I did it for them." Reporter: "and what compelled you to do that?" "It's just the right thing to do," said Denison police department senior patrol officer, Bradley Wendt.
Wendt says it wasn't easy.
"It's hard enough to come forward with something about your boss and risk your career, let alone not having something done about it," said Denison police department senior patrol officer, Bradley Wendt.
So far, Chief Emswiler has declined to comment on the allegations.
PREVIOUS STORY:
A group of protesters walked the streets of Denison, Iowa Wednesday.
At the center of the protest, lewd images allegedly created on a computer by the city's police chief.
The controversy surrounds what some may consider racist and pornographic pictures that a former police officer claims were created by Police Chief John Emswiler.
We spoke with the city attorney, who was indirectly involved with the matter. He says the information in question was on the police chief's private computer, and somehow it got to the shared drive.
The city attorney says Mayor Daniel Leinen investigated the allegations, and determined that disciplinary action was appropriate. He then administered that discipline in accordance with city policy.
But, the city attorney can't say what that punishment was. Protesters took to the streets today in response to the incident.
When asked what they want out of the protest...
"Public opinion. What he's got on his computer is not right and I think any reasonable person would agree. Basically trying to get it out there saying he this is what's going on here this is the reason the things are they way they are and it needs to change," said former police officer, Ray Ohl.
Leinen told me he cannot comment on camera for legal liability reasons, but he says that he believes he "used correct protocol."
He also says he "does not agree with what the chief of police did and he was reprimanded for his actions."
After speaking with the city attorney, Chief Emswiler declined to comment.
Tonight at 10, hear further details on the protest and hear from the police officer who made city officials aware of the situation.
