Proctor Residents Voice Opinions About Police Chief Being Let Go

City Counsilors Haven't Released Details About 3-2 Decision to Part Ways with Chief Wobig

PROCTOR, Minn. – Last month, the Proctor City Council voted 3-2 to not extend the contract of police chief Walter Wobig. Tonight, dozens of Proctor residents came to the city council meeting to voice their concerns about that decision.

Many in Proctor are not happy about their police chief of more than 14 years being let go.

“What three fifths of this council has done to Walter Wobig is underhanded. I believe you have a hidden agenda and that is why you wanted him out of your way,” said one woman who spoke at the meeting.

Some residents agree with the decision to not terminate his contract. One man said, “I support the decision because I support democracy.”

Many in attendance wanted answers from the city council, who have not released details about their decision because it happened in a closed session.

“Minnesota statutes and sub situations prohibit us from discussing certain meetings and decisions for length of time after those decisions were made,” said Proctor Mayor Philip Larson.

City councilors are not in agreement about the way the situation has been managed.

“There’s something more that’s going on. I don’t know what it is. I don’t care to know what it is. I just know that was not the way you handle a situation,” said Proctor City Councilor Jim Schwarzbauer.

But city officials stressed to everyone in attendance how difficult their decision was.

“This was by no means easy for any of us on the negotiating committee or us as councilors or city administrator. It was a tough decision,” said Mayor Larson.

The mayor also said the decision to part ways with Chief Wobig was not because of anything he did or did not do.