GREENFIELD, Wis.– The City of Greenfield has released an internal probe into allegations of misconduct against Police Chief Jay Johnson.
Johnson has been on paid administrative leave since April of 2025. Overall, the 722-page report of the internal investigation released Thursday details 67 instances of alleged misconduct.
The allegations support a recent decision by Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke, who recently filed to remove Johnson from his position.
Original Criminal Case Involving Pole Camera
The report first recalls the incident in which Johnson allegedly had a City of Greenfield pole camera installed outside of his home in Wind Lake, for personal reasons relating to his divorce.
In April of 2025, Johnson was called to a meeting with city leaders, at which point he was confronted with the misconduct allegations.
At this meeting, he was offered the opportunity to step down and retire, to which, according to the video recorded on the body camera Johnson was wearing, he replied “You’re embarrassing me. After everything I’ve (expletive) done for this city.”
He then attempted to delete data from his City-issued phone, which was also recorded on body camera video. The camera belonged to another officer.
He is facing charges of criminal misconduct, as well as destroying data related to the case.
Harassment of Female Detectives
Beyond the original incident Johnson was charged with, the probe details a history of Johnson creating a “harassing work environment.”
Johnson allegedly “utilized unacceptable language to describe a female subordinate detective while in her presence and directed at her.”
He then also allegedly “embarked on a possible calculated ongoing pattern of harassment towards the female Detective and her fellow Detectives in retaliation.”
A female detective recalled Johnson asking her why she was acting like “such an (expletive) lately,” and told her she should “be nicer to her husband.”
She said the interaction made “uncomfortable.” the detective and other officers reported a “pattern of retaliation” following the interaction and subsequent conversation with Johnson.
Harassment of Union President
The city also received concerns of Johnson allegedly harassing Union President Aaron Busche.
Busche described an interaction he had with Johnson as “very intimidating.”
Other Alleged Misconduct, including Alcohol Coercion and Potential Drug Use
Johnson allegedly attempted to mitigate the purchase of a squad car for his “then-girlfriend’s son.”
He also allegedly falsified an email using a civilian’s name and title to assign blame to a city employee.
The report goes as far to address Johnson’s possession of alcohol in his workplace including his alleged “advocating that other police officers drink it.” It claims that Johnson was in possession of prescription drugs that were not prescribed to him
Ultimately, many employees told investigators they felt they were “proverbially walking on eggshells” around Johnson, describing him as hard to work with.
Johnson’s Rebuttal
Johnson has refuted the charges in a 13-page rebuttal.
The rebuttal states the charges “repeatedly labels disputed conduct as dishonest, threatening, retaliatory, cruel, or disqualifying before the Commission has heard witnesses, assessed credibility, considered contrary evidence, or resolved factual disputes.”
It claims Johnson has not had access to witnesses or evidence, in the 17 months he was on leave, stating that he has been “isolated.”
It also states that Chief Johnson objects to the notion that “unidentified employees will resign if he returns, that employees broadly feared him for years, or that he presents a threat to personal safety unless those assertions are supported by identified witnesses, specific facts, and evidence.”
He has requested that the Police and Fire Commission “dismiss the charges without further proceedings” or provide 120 days for Johnson to conduct his own investigation so he has “meaningful opportunity to prepare his defense.”
Next Steps
The Police and Fire Commission will hold a hearing to decide Johnson’s status, as well as any further disciplinary actions. The date has not yet been set.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
