Greenfield Mayor Pushes for Police Chief’s Dismissal Amid Criminal Allegations
Greenfield is currently embroiled in controversy as its police chief faces a litany of criminal charges. Mayor Michael Neitzke is actively seeking the removal of Police Chief Jay Johnson, who is entangled in legal troubles stemming from alleged misuse of department resources during his personal divorce proceedings.
Police Chief Jay Johnson is under scrutiny after being charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor. The charges follow accusations that he improperly utilized a department surveillance camera to monitor his own residence during a divorce. Johnson has been on paid administrative leave since April 2025. More details about the charges can be found here.
In a recent statement, Mayor Neitzke announced that he had submitted a “statement of charges” against Johnson to the city’s Police and Fire Commission. Neitzke’s statement highlighted that the city’s investigation uncovered “significant, highly concerning actions and patterns of behavior” that justified the filing. However, the mayor noted that the statement only presents part of the findings, as some allegations are under external criminal investigation.
The Police and Fire Commission convened in a closed session for nearly two hours to deliberate on the charges. Post-deliberation, the commission approved a motion to engage with involved parties to schedule a conference. Mayor Neitzke confirmed that the commission had accepted the charges, marking a pivotal step in assessing whether the city’s findings warrant disciplinary action and, if so, what kind.
Progress in Johnson’s Criminal Proceedings
Jay Johnson’s legal troubles began with a felony misconduct charge last year. The criminal complaint alleges that he instructed a captain to install a department surveillance camera outside his home in Wind Lake, against city officials’ advice, citing personal safety concerns during his divorce. Prosecutors argue that the camera was improperly positioned for personal advantage in his divorce case.
Additional charges were later added, including felony bail jumping and charges related to evidence tampering, as Johnson allegedly destroyed data and evidence, hindering the investigation. The amended complaint accuses Johnson of directing others to contact individuals in violation of bail conditions and of tampering with phone records.
Johnson’s criminal proceedings are ongoing, with an evidentiary hearing scheduled for November 9, as per online court records. Johnson, 59, has served the Greenfield Police Department since 1992, ascending the ranks to become chief in 2019. During his leave, Eric Lindstrom has assumed the role of acting police chief.
City’s Common Council Involvement
On August 18, the common council empowered Mayor Neitzke to file charges against Johnson, a decision shared with Johnson’s legal team before submission to the Police and Fire Commission on August 28. The termination process for Johnson falls under the jurisdiction of the city’s Police and Fire Commission. While external law enforcement must prove criminal allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, Mayor Neitzke operates under a lower evidentiary threshold.
According to Wisconsin law, the local Police and Fire Commission board is responsible for appointing the police chief. Chief Johnson is entitled to defend himself against the city’s investigation findings at a commission hearing. As mandated by Wisconsin law, the commission will decide if the investigation’s findings justify disciplinary measures and, if necessary, determine appropriate actions to safeguard the community and the police department.
Attempts to reach Johnson’s attorney for comment were unsuccessful before the publication of this article.
