Mendota Heights Police Chief Michael Aschenbrener and Sgt. Eric Petersen have been cleared of allegations of misconduct by the Carver County Sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office found no evidence to suggest that Aschenbrener or Petersen attempted to cover up any wrongdoing on the part of other officers.
The city of Mendota Heights asked the sheriff's office to investigate accusations against the two police officers by the union representing Mendota Heights police officers to the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, according to a city news release.
The investigation found that the chief and sergeant did not obstruct justice in the handling of the removal and subsequent return of a picnic table, a cellphone or a Dakota County Drug Task Force bag, as had been alleged. Those items had disappeared from the Lilydale Tennis Club building, from evidence seized during an arrest and from the police department, respectively.
Yet to be completed is a city review of whether internal city policies were violated.
"We take allegations of misconduct and unlawful behavior of our employees very seriously, as evidenced by the thorough investigation by an outside entity," said Mendota Heights Mayor Sandra Krebsbach. "We are pleased that charges are not going to be filed."
LAURIE BLAKE
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