A brand new Kenosha Police Officer has resigned on October 16, 2024. This comes days before he was allegedly going to be fired for conduct unbecoming of an officer and other policy violations.
Christopher Henley was with the Kenosha Police Department less than a year and had barely finished training when he resigned in lieu of termination. According to an internal affairs investigation obtained by KCE, Henley violated at least five department policies including:
- The code of ethics policy that says “I will keep my private life unsullied”,
- General rules and regulations “Be competent, efficient, and exercise common sense in the performance of their duties. ”
- Mobile video/audio and body worn camera equipment policy “the body-worn-camera shall remain activated until the event is completed in order to ensure the integrity of the recording unless the contact moves into an area restricted by this policy or as otherwise stated by a supervisor.”
- Mobile video/audio and body-worn-camera equipment policy “when police personnel fail to activate their body-worn-cameras, do not record the entire incident, or interrupt recording for any reason, they shall document, on the recording, the time, place and reason why the recording was not made or was discontinued. This shall also be documented in a written report if a report is completed by the officer.” End quote “
- And finally, perhaps the most egregious, a violation of network security and TIME system access policy. This is the system that Law Enforcement uses to run license plates and names through Law Enforcement databases.
According to disciplinary documents:
In the summer of this year, Officer Henley investigated a complaint regarding an incident where a woman was the victim. Just 13 days after Officer Henley concluded the investigation, he used the TIME system and ran the woman’s name. He claimed to have done this to check the status of the investigation but it was noted that the TIME system would not have provided any updates to the status of the incident.
On the same day, he sent the female victim a message and the two would end up in a romantic relationship. The victim’s ex-boyfriend was set to be prosecuted by the DA’s office, but Kenosha County DA Michael Graveley (D) dropped the charges because of the victim’s relationship with the arresting officer.
Later in the summer, Officer Henley responded to a call for service that involved a woman who was having a dispute with her grandfather or somebody else in the home. Henley obtained the woman’s phone number and they would later exchange several text messages. Evidence showed that Henley texted the woman for nine days with no response from the woman.
A manager at a local KwikTrip complained to Kenosha Police that Henley was in there trying to hit on the female staff on multiple occasions.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
According to the commander of the internal affairs unit, Lieutenant Josh Hecker:
“I believe that Officer Henley’s actions were not only unbecoming of an officer, but also inappropriate. To begin, [the one woman] appears to be a victim of an abusive relationship, thus making her vulnerable to Officer Henley’s empathy displayed when he initiated contact with her. He used [her] phone number, that he obtained during the course of a criminal investigation, to start a relationship. That relationship led to the DA’s office deciding not to pursue criminal charges against [the defendant,] for damage he intentionally caused to her property.
On the night that Officer Henley met the[ second woman,] she was “highly intoxicated” and had [other issues]. Arguably another vulnerable individual. At some point during the course of his contacts with [her she] somehow obtained Officer Henley’s personal cell phone number. How is unclear due to the fact that on two separate calls for service, Officer Henley deactivated his cameras, so there is no recorded documentation of his interactions with her after the recording devices were deactivated. Officer Henley admitted that he should not have had interacted with her after learning that her case was dismissed, yet he exchanged contact information with her 4 days later. Utilizing his position as a police officer to obtain/exchange phone numbers with women who he met while investigating calls for service does not align with the mission, vision, and values of this police department. Our officers should perform their duties ethically and remain unsullied in their professional and personal lives. Unethical behavior by a Kenosha police officer would most certainly roll the public’s trust.
Additionally, Officer Henley accessed to TIME system, which was not for official Kenosha Police Department business. The TIME system stores restricted data that is only accessible for department business. He admitted to accessing the TIME system and claimed it was to check the status of the report he wrote related to [the woman’s] criminal damage to property investigation. Officer Henley received training for both the TIME system and NewWorld Report Management software. At this point in his career he should have known that the TIME system would not have provided updated information related to his previous investigation. that information is readily available in NewWorld, where he wrote his report. The TIME system is a heavily regulated database where breaches of the restrictions carry significant consequences.
The information pretended by [a Lieutenant] regarding Henley’s many attempts to obtain contact information from the manager and a couple of her employees at the KwikTrip was not investigated. It was my belief that flirting while on duty may not be an appropriate use of the city’s time, there was no violation of current policies. This portion of the investigation had no significant bearing on the investigation. However, I do believe it showed a pattern of questionable behavior that does not align with Kenosha Police Department’s mission, vision, and values.”
KCE spoke with the president of the Kenosha Professional Police Association, Pete Deates Wednesday.
“I think Chief Patton realizes, like I do, that nobody dislikes bad conduct from cops more than good cops. Chief Patton is doing a good job at holding those of us who fall short accountable while supporting and acknowledging those of us who go above and beyond,” said Deates.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
While Henley was close to being terminated, he abruptly handed KPD staff his letter of resignation.
Under Act 82, Henley will be listed on a statewide database that shows he “resigned in lieu in of termination.” It will be difficult for him to get another police job.
66 Responses
Some people are nit cut out to have authority over others and then to apply it appropriately.
Applies to many, not just cops.
Teachers..coaches…aides…and others.
Now FOIA request officer J Bell that just “resigned on his own” without being suggested by the chief🤣
Back the badge?
Did you read the part about good cops hating bad cops???
Didn’t think so.
Back the badge. Ha
Hard to believe that when kpd lowered the testing standards for diverse recruitment , they are hiring sub standard employees like this and others. Nobody would hire a surgeon with lower standards, or anything that was “important”. GE wouldn’t hire a tech to repair imaging machines with substandard testing results. Obviously performance, personality, and intelligence plays a part In all jobs, but shows up in policing because it’s all on camera. Poor hiring choices like this can also mean citizens can be put into danger, victimized, and not given the public service we all deserve.
Let it be known that kpd destroys all of the entrance exam test scores, as well as promotional exam scores. This means there has been no accountability with hiring and promotions. Which seems odd since they should all be placed into personnel files, open to FOIA requests, and available to be seen by the very taxpayers that funded the work product.
Never forget the nepotism in KPD. Chief John Morrissey got his son on the force prior to retiring and taking a newly created position for the City of Kenosha. Double dipping anyone? Wouldn’t you live to have that six figure pension?
And now triple dipping, now that he’s also on the county board.
Talk about conflicts!
Morrisay was the Director of the City Inspection Dept. while City Administrator for awhile too. Until they hired that Illinois worthless DEI deadbeat who currently collects a paycheck for doing nothing worth while. Morrisay stands proud of his accomplishments all allegedly received with phony degrees.
Morrissey got his son hired at KPD, got his, at the time, future son-in-law hired at KPD, and hired his, at the time, future daughter-in-law in the building inspection department (zero experience or qualifications). He’s corrupt AF and led the KPD to a lot of the problems it has in leadership now.
He also got his daughter a job in HR at the city but she ended up leaving too.
Yep. My nephew applied for the position also. 4 year degree. 4 years marine corps. Afghanistan veteran. 3 positions open at the time. Did not even get a call back.
Your nephew would have been the most qualified compared to the fat asses the KPD has working for them. Your nephew isn’t black I assume, nor does is list name end with a vowel? KPD and KUSD are shit organizations, which it all starts at the top.
With that kind of experience he never had a chance. Now a (HSE) test would be a different story.
Daniel A Nicolazzi.
1) Morrissey did not take a newly created position. He did however take over from several highly corrupt people. So it just continues.
2) if you are retired, it’s not really double dipping. That’s like retiring with a super plush 401k and then going and working as a consultant. It happens on the private sector side too.
3) Not disputing the nepotism thing though, it’s very rampant.
4) County Board Supervisors make $6k, hardly a conflict and hardly a scheme. I’m sure he is required to be neutral on city matters before the board.
Thumbs up!
KUSD has some openings
Assistant groomer.
He can always go to work at one of the local prisons for the department of corrections because we hire anybody!
….. of public employees being allowed to resign instead of being fired.
Upon the decision to terminate his employment the department should have drawn up the paperwork for the termination and presented it at the start of his next shift along with his final check pending his surrendering all department issued equipment.
Then escorted him out of the building. Period !
This Bullshit of allowing public employees to pick their terms of separation is bogus !
And don’t tell me it’s “cleaner” if they resign.
If they have enough information and evidence to seek termination then they have all they need to withstand any litigation after.
Bad public employees should not be given the easy way out where they can then go forward getting jobs in the public sector elsewhere without having their past follow them.
Amanda, are you listening ?
I think you are reading something that isn’t there. The article said he quit before they could fire him. Obviously he knew something was in the works and that’s why he quit but in government work, they can’t just fire you. Everything has to go through a personnel review (the people that authorize hiring and firing of someone) before termination can happen. I have no doubt KPD would love to have fired him right there on the spot but that just isn’t an option on government.
From the story. Quote ……
“A brand new Kenosha Police Officer has resigned on October 16, 2024. This comes days before he was allegedly going to be fired for conduct unbecoming of an officer and other policy violations”
Just what am I reading that’s not there ????
Other than the required word “allegedly” it’s all there.
At least he was only an ‘officer’ for a year. And due to him resigning, not eligible for unemployment. Also hard to believe this dip shit was the most qualified for the job. No doubt his skin color got him the job, same with the Indian Trails RSO!
Explain to me – How can the city be an “equal” opportunity employer, yet discriminate by skin color and sex for jobs and promotions? Seems like a system that nearly always produces bad employees, and bad outcomes statistically.
Bring back difficult tests to
Bring back competent employees…. Or just keep on keeping on as usual Patty
It’s bullshit, thank you LBJ!
60 years of it and people have not learned yet.
Thumbs up.
Or do what Pleasant Prairie does and smetana promoted people with Racine ties.
……. instead of being fired change his unemployment benefit eligibility ?
Yes I know that if you quit a job you can’t get unemployment because “you” voluntarily left the job. Agreed.
But, if you are fired for “cause”, a good cause, the employer can fight the eligibility of unemployment benefits and deny them. And win.
Yes the ex employee can fight it, but probably wouldn’t succeed.
Or am I wrong ??
Because the employer resigned from will only say – yes, Bob worked here from 5/5/15-6-15-17…. They won’t say we were in the process of investing him for sexual misconduct, then we stopped looking into it because he resigned.
Yup, but thanks to KCE any competent police force will google potential candidates and bingo, this article will show.
Like I said in a previous comment, I think you are reading something that isn’t there. The article said he quit before they could fire him. Obviously he knew something was in the works and that’s why he quit but in government work, they can’t just fire you. Everything has to go through a personnel review (the people that authorize hiring and firing of someone) before termination can happen. I have no doubt KPD would love to have fired him right there on the spot but that just isn’t an option on government.
Are you listening Amanda ?
Who is Amanda? Nedweski?
They don’t have to accept your resignation, they could tell you they are sending to police and fire board and fire you anyway. They fired Joshua Sylvester for sexually assaulting an intoxicated female in his custody on his body camera (high entrance exam score I’m sure). They can “fire” anyone, and that person can fight it if they choose to.
He should open a Grinder account now!!😂
Officer fat.
Likely a graduate of Sgt. Hard’s School of Hard Cocks
He’s private soft mow
Gotta be some way he can utilize them lips, maybe he can start giving head on the corner.
The KPPA Prez says the “good” officers want the “bad” officers disciplined. Really? When did that start?
The “good” cops do not support getting rid of a “bad” cop, unless that “bad” cop is new or Someone of color.
The KPD is filled with officers who have abused their authority with impunity for decades. These brutal, lying, and corrupt officers stay on the job because the “good” cops protect them by their silence.
The KPPA will only throw rookie minority officers under the bus.
Wow. I hope that’s not true. City hall should just run the stats for the last 10 years of hires/asked resignations and post the stats
The stats and photos of every kpd employee who was hired, and those that were fired or resigned while under internal investigation, or about to be. Patton should compile this in the next week and release to be transparent.
The fire department should do the same, just to show kpd is the only emergency service with that issue. The fire department hasn’t dumbed down their testing, and the physical is a nationally certified test.
KPD no longer requires a physical test to get hired , you guessed it, to help with diversity hiring initiatives. Another standard that was lowered. When u hire substandard employees, you as an employer, set the inadequate people you hired up to fail.
I dedicated 27 years to that place, many of which I loved. But I watched the degradation of standards and it compromised everything it touched. Sex, race, color do not matter in this world. Merit and performance do. When you hire based on anything other than performance and merit, you get substandard outcomes. That’s a fact.
Stay safe to all first responders and Kenosha families. God bless, and merry Christmas.
27 years of dedication and no one will remember your name.
You will be surprised at the number of KPD Officers that have retired that people still remember and appreciate what they did.
Thump your chest elsewhere.
KPD does require a physical test. So basically it’s sounds like you would like a force that has all white males on it? I don’t agree with DEI hiring practices, but that has nothing to do with this. A bad person is a bad person, no matter the race or sex. You have a ton of black, Hispanic and female officers that are great officers. Just like you have a ton of white male officers, that do shitty jobs and abuse their power. But you also have a ton of white male officers that do an excellent job. Stop making everything about fucking race, make it about character and morals.
Kpd stopped conducting the physical agility test to get hired about 15 years ago. Many departments require a physical agility test, such as the POWER test or similar.
Most fire departments require that candidates pass the CPAT test, which is nationally recognized.
Kpd must use the “He fat/She fat test”, modeled after the Kemosha Sheriffs department.
Just like KUSD allowed to resign instead of being fired.
LE is not a career for those that think with their dick.
Perhaps you could get a job doing videos w/ Sergeant Hard.
DEI hire.
Dumb
Entitled
Incompetent
Did
Not
Earn
He didndonuffin!
DEI = Didn’t Earn ItAn
So he texted women. Big deal. This has been going on for decades, but when it is the white cops, no one cares.
Because there’s more to it than just texting, there is intent and there’s using the tools of your job against policy and for personal gain. Think of it as insider trading. It is a big deal when you hire someone like this to be a police officer.
He bothered a victim until she gave in and responded. Then the DA could not prosecute the offender, because that wouldn’t go well in front of a jury. The guy that arrested the suspect is now dating the victim 3 weeks later…….
The Bronx boy says dei is not your friend
Da Bronx Boy is correct.
Great Job KPd get the scum out, the good cops work too hard to have a bad name by scum like this,
speaking of Scum is P Torres fired yet? I sure hope so that guy is real scum.
Christopher Henley= DEI. Go figure. Nice hire Chief.
😂 😆 😆 it CANT just be me when I see any quote from KPPA President Pete Deats talking about “bad” cops lolololololol really? You’ve got more stories than most. Right now transparent Patton?
Nothing better than a boot to the head
He looks like 5 miles of rough road.
If you can’t use a job to get dates, then why have the job?
This article didn’t mention he has a wife who works for the Kenosha schools and child at home. Shame.