(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
This article has been updated to include new information since its original publication.
KENOSHA, Wis. — Longtime Kenosha Police Detective Pablo “Paul” Torres has been placed on administrative leave and has surrendered his badge and gun—possibly for the last time—amid a storm of internal misconduct allegations and growing calls for his departure from within the department.
Torres, badge number 397, joined the Kenosha Police Department on March 25, 1996, and was promoted to detective in 2016 with the support of then-Mayor John Antaramian. He is currently just several months away from being eligible to retire.
According to multiple reliable law enforcement sources, Torres was placed on leave after a recent string of incidents described by insiders as insubordinate and, in some cases, threatening. In one incident, Torres allegedly slapped a female officer on the buttocks in front of a captain. While the officer involved is reportedly a longtime friend who was not offended, the conduct—especially in the presence of a superior—was considered serious enough to warrant administrative review. Following the incident, Torres allegedly became insubordinate toward the captain.
More recently, Torres is accused of threatening another supervisor. Acting Public Information Officer Sgt. Sieker confirmed to Kenosha County Eye that Torres is currently on administrative leave, but declined to provide further details.
One retired officer told KCE that Torres is “in a downward spiral” and suggested it’s time for him to retire. The officer added that Torres almost certainly had to turn in his gun and badge to Police Chief Patrick Patton, who is the only official authorized to place a detective on leave.
Torres, a polarizing figure within the department, has an extensive disciplinary record and is the subject of dozens of excessive force complaints—possibly the most of any officer in KPD history. While some officers see him as a hardworking investigator, others say his behavior has repeatedly crossed the line.
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One of Torres’ more recent incidents drew public attention in 2023, when he aggressively arrested a woman who was recording him from inside an apartment building. The interaction, captured on cellphone video by a bystander, showed Torres yelling at the woman and appearing to lose his temper. Although she was ultimately charged with obstruction, the arrest raised concerns about professional conduct and citizen rights. KPD launched an internal investigation, and Torres was later ordered to undergo additional training. While not among the most serious allegations in his personnel file, the incident reinforced longstanding concerns about his judgment and temperament.
Law enforcement sources told KCE that Torres has repeatedly requested to step down from his detective role and return to road patrol, but at least three different police chiefs have denied those requests, citing concerns about risk management.
Torres has also been involved in two officer-involved shootings during his career. In one case, he shot and killed Aaron Siler, who fled in a vehicle and was later confronted by officers. In another case, which occurred shortly before the Siler shooting, Torres shot and wounded a different man during a separate incident.
While some in the department view Torres as an “outstanding cop,” others believe his continued presence is a liability. “It’s time,” said one insider. “He’s done some good, but he’s burned too many bridges.”
Whether Torres returns to duty or retires quietly in a few months remains uncertain. What’s clear is that—for now—his badge and gun are no longer in his possession. And they may never be again.
Kenosha County Eye reached out to Detective Torres on Monday. He responded by saying that while he cannot comment on the matter at this time, he would be happy to speak when he is allowed to do so.
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66 Responses
Im sure he has a pretty good pension going on..
When you rattle the criminal element in the community, people who like to enable criminals get upset.
Take your pension and go Pablo, job well done.
Torres is Kenosha’s Batman…..our streets are not as safe without him.
Fck dude n u police ass bitch
Must have a record huh
What? Is that Ebonics or …?
Read the room nitwit.
Salute sir. You have the right attitude.
True. You’ve gotten away with the game for too long. Somehow, you’ve made it this far with no serious consequences. Many others with the same number of incidents in their files would have been gone long ago. It’s time to retire, Pablo. In this job, no one who tries to go the extra mile is acknowledged. Maybe that captain saw your joke as an opportunity to get rid of you. You know you’re a good cop, but in this job, medals are meant only for the butt-kissers.
Very true across all institutions today due to slow motion civil disintegration and cultural emo-feminization that fast breeds low quality defective leadership.
However, in the likely events ahead, ex-cops of this quality will be very sought after for their skills as independent agents to erase out local chaos.
Paid administrative leave until he retires.
Very nice
It’s standard procedure it happens all the time. Get over it!!!!!!
Torres should have been fired years ago. He has always been a menace. It is good that Chief Patten had the guts to do it, Maybe things with the department will improve.
Kenosha is safer now.
The second guy Torres shot was armed with an empty 5 gallon plastic bucket. Torres had no business working when that happened. He was put back on the street by former Kenosha chief of police and current city administrator John Morrissey.
Maybe if Morrissey had a real college degree instead of the fake one he has claimed for 25 years, he would have known how stupid it was to put Torres back on the street so soon after the first shooting. Morrissey, just as much as Torres, is responsible for that second shooting. It could have been prevented.
The 1st gentleman he shot had a pair of scissors up to his own throat, was a combat Vietnam Vet, off his meds that never threatened anyone but himself. One of the 5 police officers in the garage that day tripped over a snow blower, Torres panicked and started shooting. Had there been a crisis officer there that day, it would have never happened. I’m glad to see them take his badge and gun. Good riddance
You seemed to casually leave out he had a warrant, and went on a high speed chase endangering others. But hey, that don’t fit your agenda to wonder why a criminal fled and could have caused harm.
Who cares.
Gee, if he goes for good does the KPD get the imported trained dog back they bought him when he was promoted to Detective that is worth thousands?
Died.
back the blue, shame on all of you calling out this crazy ass cop, shame. cops are under a lot of stress, steriods, and should be above the law. slapping a chick cop on the ass happens in every office in america.
Damn, Cartel hasn’t got you yet
no joe i am still alive
Hey Kev,
Give me a call when you’re free. You can get my number from anyone. You’ll remember me from Lowe’s and most recently the festival from 2 weeks ago
Wth
A lot of people haven’t looked in the mirror in a really long time.
Most people are afraid to look in one.
Growing up in Kenosha me and my family have had many dealings with Torres. I can say this; he has always treated us fairly, and gave us the benefit of the doubt. This was also at a time, when community policing was a big thing. It’s unfortunate to read articles like this, because I think he was a great Detective. Maybe he lost his way during the last few years, or sometimes it’s hard for the older officers to adapt to the new way of doing things. I still appreciate the great years of service that he gave the Kenosha community!!
Yes it sounds like they used this incident just to get rid of him.
No one knows what officers go through mentally, they see the absolute worst dregs in our community. Give them some dam grace already. Sounds political per usual in Kenosha…time for him to hang it up and live his life.
Police aren’t above the law. Furthermore, they should be treated how they treat most people.. guilty until proven innocent.
Looool. Who cares. Defund the whole department.
He has all his rentals. He should have been fired long time ago. I’m a former law enforcement person.
Sure ya are
This is a character assassination by some spineless supervisors with thin skin. Torres has cared for this city and this community his whole life. Torres has built a life brick by brick, working his ass off. He would be the first to risk his safety for others, and would do it over and over selflessly. If anyone was listening to the radio during the riots, this is the man that stopped the libs from breaking into the dinosaur museum to burn it. Remember the riot bus minivan full of gas? Yes, this was one of the people front and center that stopped that from making its way downtown (others too). Countless other acts, that most people will never know about. A man who still embraces inner city neighborhoods who still have generational family longevity trying to keep their blocks nice, and enjoy their neighborhood and churches.
Taking actions and perceptions out of context is not what is this is. This is more about supervision taking things out of context, and after receiving clarity, still twisting the issue where they is no “There there”.
Torres, thank you for your service and all you have done for Kenosha all of these years. You have made a positive impact, and anyone who knows you knows that. Hold your head high.
I could not of said it any better. Paul is one hell of police officer, friend and person.
Yea, It takes one hell of a police officer to kill a guys who was armed with an empty five gallon plastic bucket.
You forgot to add who had a warrant, ran and had a high speed chase that endangered innocent people. There I fixed it for you.
No you didn’t. All those things are true. However, they do not justify the use of deadly force. Face it, the object of your worship is a coward who panicked when this guy brandished the empty five gallon plastic bucket.
Torres has always been quick to use unjustified force. He was brutal to the point of being sadistic. It was his badge that kept him from being a mere common thug.
Joel? I’m sure you have been in alot of positions to judge and know how to react in a same situation, but hey your prolly some kind of bad ass. Or dumb ass
Exactly
Give me a break. He should have been fired after both shootings.
Let’s have him wear a uniform and send him out to patrol. Let’s see how many days he lasts without abusing his lawful authority in one way or another. He has spent too many years acting untouchable out there; he feels he is above the law. Somehow, he has gotten away with too many shady incidents since he joined the PD.
Put a uniform on yourself.
I have it on and you know it. I wear it 5 days a week. This is what I signed up for.
Walmart isn’t a uniform
It’s more corrupted cops and detectives on the force. Watch what is about to happen in a few months. I’m sending all foul stuff into the bureau.
Sure buddy 🤣
I hope whatever is about to happen, you can form a sentence. I’m SeNdInG StUfF iNtO the BuReAu.
I could not of said it any better. Paul is one hell of police officer, friend and person.
It’s called patience. Ever heard of it?
Kevin, the 1st dog died. They purchased a second dog when he was a Detective. That dog died too?
That dog died too. Then he trained his own personal dog on overtime at a trainer not approved by the department. Then had to have that dog trained at an approved place. He never brought that dog to work with him. That dog didn’t do nothing but allowed him to stay a k9 handler and only work 7 hours a day.
Send Pablo Torres to El Salvador 🇸🇻 Prison ASAP.
What a stupid comment. I feel sorry for you.
I think the city is losing a good cop with tons of experience and knowledge of the Kenosha streets
Hell of a good man. This guy buys his neighbor a new water heater, AND puts in in for him and his family. Hes a great man and the city will miss him.
bye bye Torres , it’s the best thing for Kenosha and KPD , YOU make all the good officers look bad.
You have been a menace to are pd are town and the profession, You treat avearge people like shit.
thank goodness you have no badge or gun anymore, we are all safer.
Says the gangbangers who deserve death
Yes, I’m so happy he ain’t anymore working with the KPD. He is a very BAD person. Congratulations Kenosha.
Never give a midget a gun.
There is a reason you had to be over 6’ (and preferably Irish) when my great grandfather was a Chicago cop and 6’4” when grandfather was a cop.
First you could bust heads.
Second, you didn’t have short dick midget rage.
Also, message for all you roid rage under 5’ 10” cops; growing sideways with slow ass gym muscle doesn’t make you any taller.
For the rest of Kenosha’s finest, thank you for your service.
show the doll where the short person hurt you…..
Always funny to read the Facebook comments talking about cops, then ccap them, then it makes sense.
BINGO !! It’s hilarious.
Torres is not only a great detective but an amazing person. I think the issue is he is from the days when people weren’t so sensitive and sue happy and parents actually disciplined their children instead of calling and having the police do it and making them out to be the “bad guys”. He earned respect from people in the community. He has been in some situations and didn’t always make the right decision but it was the decision that felt right at the time. Everything he did was to keep his community safe. He didn’t make decisions with ill intent. Imagine if Aaron had a weapon and it wasn’t just a bucket and Torres in that split second chose not to shoot. He could have died and so could have other citizens while he was on the loose. And then it would be “He should have shot him. He could have prevented this.” There are bad cops out there. Cops that do think they are above the law and intentionally make decisions that don’t have the community’s best interest in mind. KPD and KSD are always hiring. Clearly many of you think you can do a better job so let’s see it. Instead of sitting behind your keyboard bitching, lets see you do better and be a part of the change Kenosha needs.
Loose Cannon Decommissioned. Citizens are safer now.