Isleton Police Department Flooded With Problems

ISLETON (CBS13) - While operations at the Isleton Police Department are shut down, officers are still working inside, including the officer accused of having sex in a patrol car.

City Manager Dan Hinrichs, who took over just three weeks ago, has a lot on his hands.

He's closed the police department, reopened it, and then closed it again in three days time. Now he has an officer accused of having sex in a patrol car.

Hinrichs hasn't put the accused officer on leave yet, saying "I got to figure out what's been going on first."

But Chief Steve Adams, who was placed on leave Wednesday, says the officer should be placed on leave.

Adams began the investigation into the sexual allegations a few months ago, and says he had already made recommendation the officer should be terminated to the former city manager.

The city manager didn't think that officer should be fired, but then got fired himself.

Adams says the department may have an even bigger problem on its hands. Officers aren't allowed to use their own guns because they haven't been trained. Meaning, the officer involved in the shooting of a pit bull Thursday may not have been authorized to fire.

Hinrichs, taking on his first city manager job, admits he may be in over his head.

"I'm getting advice from two different attorneys on this stuff, doing the best I can on this stuff," said Hinrichs. "I'm sure I'll make a mistake or two, but I'm an engineer not a cop."

Adams says he's put in a request for the district attorney's office to take over the investigation.