Police chief's fate may be decided soon

A decision on Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson’s employment with the city is expected soon, city officials say.

According to state statute, city employees report to the city manager – meaning Sidney Interim City Manager Geri Anthony will make the final determination.

“It’s getting really close today,” Anthony said in a phone interview on Wednesday. “We’re just waiting for our attorneys to come up with the proper paperwork.”

Wilkinson has been on paid administrative leave since July, after pleading no contest to obstructing government operations, a misdemeanor charge. He appealed his conviction and sentence after being ordered to serve 30 days in jail. Two weeks ago, a district court judge denied his appeal.

On Wednesday, Wilkinson said he would continue the appeals process.

“We’re going to appeal it to the Nebraska Court of Appeals,” he said. “We anticipate filing in late October.”

During the public comment period at Tuesday night’s city council meeting, four individuals spoke in support of the chief.

Light Memorial Presbyterian Church Interim Pastor Tom Waddell said Wilkinson attends his congregation.

Wilkinson is a person of high character with a strong desire to serve, he said.

“Speaking as a pastor, I would encourage the city manager, and then the council and whatever influence you may have, to encourage a feeling of mercy,” Waddell said.

There is a need for continuity and a sense of grace within a community, he added.

“So I encourage consideration for Mr. Wilkinson in this matter.”

Ross Wilson, of Illinois, said he traveled to Sidney to attend the meeting to support Wilkinson. The two had worked together at the Litchfield (Ill.) Police Department, he explained.

“This man is upstanding,” he said. “He’s straightforward. He’s honest to a fault. I ask that you please think hard when you consider what you’re doing to do with this man.”

Wilkinson is a great asset for the community, Wilson said.

“You can’t do any better than this guy,” he added.

Sidney Mayor Mark Nienhueser had prefaced the comment period by explaining the status of Wilkinson’s employment is not a city council issue.

“To clarify, by state statute, the chief of police does not report to the city council,” he explained. “The chief of police is hired by the city manager. It is a personnel matter. The city council does not oversee personnel matters with any of the city employees.”

Sidney resident Larry Nelson asked why, then, wasn’t the matter dealt with earlier.

“Why have there been executive sessions with you folks regarding the chief of police when it’s already a personnel matter?” he asked. “I don’t get that.”

Nienhueser said the closed meetings were part of a thorough investigation.

“But now what’s left in front of us is a personnel matter between the city manager and the chief of police,” the mayor added.

In an interview, Nienhueser said after Wilkinson was initially convicted of the misdemeanor charge, councilors reviewed public documents relating to the case and held closed meetings.

“The council felt we needed to look at all the matters in regards to this, even though the police chief doesn’t report directly to us,” he said.

With the conclusion of Wilkinson’s initial appeal – and affirmation of the conviction and sentence – his employment status with the city is now in the hands of city manager, Nienhueser said.

“The process has always been the same,” he added. “We, the council, dealt with the matters we can deal with. And now, it’s back to the city manager to deal with the employee that reports directly to her.”