News: Neillsville – Police Officer Moves on (Hintze – 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hintze, Mankowski, Klueckmann, St. Amand, Glassbrenner

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 4/29/2020

News: Officer Moves on From Neillsville PD (Hintze – 2020)

Hintze Moves on From Neillsville PD



The Neillsville Police Department will be down an officer for a awhile as an officer Ben Hintze has moved on from the department to take another position at a law enforcement agency in northern Wisconsin. Chief Jim Mankowski praised Hintze’s work at the department in an update he gave to the common council last week. File Photo

By Ryan Spoehr

Patrolman Ben Hintze has resigned from his position at the Neillsville Police Department.

Hintze had his exit interview with Police Chief Jim Mankowski April 15 and his resignation was accepted by the common council the night prior on April 14. His last day on duty in Neillsville was last Thursday, April 16.

Mankowski praised the work of Hintze in the brief time the two of them worked together.

“He served well for us,” Mankowski said. “He was here on probation for six days before I arrived. My time he has worked for me he has done an excellent job.”

Hintze was hired by former police chief Scott Klueckmann, who now works at the sheriff’s office.

The resignation follows Hintze accepting a position with the Ashland Police Department.

Ashland, the county seat of Ashland County, is on the shore of Lake Superior and a little more than an hour east of the city of Superior along STH 13 and USH 2. As of the last census, there were 8,209 people living in the city of Ashland.

“[The Neillsville Police Department] was a stepping stone. He wants to be on a larger police department, and he wants to move closer for a personal relationship,” Mankowski said.

In a letter to Mankowski, Hintze said it was an honor to start his law enforcement career at the Neillsville Police Department “serving and protecting the fine folks of Clark County, and more specifically the city of Neillsville.”

“I’m excited for the growth of my career, and the challenges ahead,” Hintze wrote in the letter. “However, I appreciate the opportunity I was given and everything I was able to learn about the challenging and rewarding career while serving for the city of Neillsville.”

The agenda item regarding Hintze resigning was brought up in public comment.

“I know a lot of people will be disappointed with that as Ben Hintze has shown people skills, and [he] is a good person and a very competent police officer,” local resident Jerilyn St. Amand said. “I particularly don’t understand why the Neillsville police Department is constantly losing police officers. Is it the wage” Is it the city that’s not bringing them here and having them stay here? Hopefully, if it’s the pay the city will pay accordingly.

“Hopefully, our good police chief will not leave. I know Jim is really involved in the city and that is greatly appreciated.”

Hintze had been at the Neillsville Police Department for about one year. He became a full-time patrol officer in February.

“H signed a contract, so he will owe us money,” Mayor Chuck Glassbrenner said.

“It will be a $1,500 payroll deduction,” Mankowski replied. “He talked briefly with me today about reimbursement.”

The council unanimously approved the resignation. Following that action, the city’s alderpersons unanimously agreed to authorize Mankowski to search for a replacement.