Beloit Puts Investigation Into Police Department Leadership On Hold

An internal investigation into the leadership of the Beloit Police Department is on hold until the city hires a new consulting firm to carry it out.

Last week, the city suspended Police Chief Norm Jacobs and Deputy Chief Tom Dunkin after city officials reviewed a report on employee performance prepared by the consulting firm Hilliard and Heintze. The firm originally agreed to carry out a separate internal investigation but this week withdrew, citing state statutes that require internal investigations to be independent and unbiased.

The city is now interviewing other firms to take over the job.

City officials didn’t immediately return calls requesting comment on the focus of the investigation. Once the report is complete, it goes to the city’s police and fire commission for a ruling on whether Jacobs and Dunkin will face any disciplinary action.