A Kenosha police officer with a previous conviction for domestic violence was arrested Monday for allegedly pushing his girlfriend, pulling her hair and hitting her with a shoe.
Kurtiss J. Kessler, 35, of Kenosha, was shackled and wore a blue jailhouse uniform when he appeared for a bond hearing in Kenosha County Circuit Court. A $2,500 cash bond was ordered. Kessler must post that amount to get out of jail.
As a condition of bond, Kessler will not be allowed to carry a gun. Unless that condition is lifted, Kenosha Police Chief John Morrissey said Kessler is not qualified to work as a police officer.
Kessler will be put on an unpaid leave of absence, effective immediately upon his release from jail, Morrissey said.
No charges were filed Monday. However, prosecutor Richard Ginkowski said a criminal complaint would be ready this afternoon in time for Kessler’s next court hearing.
Kessler was arrested about 8 a.m. Monday at his home. Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputies were called regarding what Ginkowski described as a weekend-long argument that escalated from name-calling to physical abuse.
The alleged victim, Kessler’s girlfriend and the mother of his young child, reportedly recanted after talking to investigators. Prosecutors relied on her initial statements for the bond hearing.
The situation allegedly began about noon Friday, when the woman said she told Kessler she wanted to leave. Ginkowski said Kessler somehow kept the woman from leaving and the woman spent the night.
By 10 a.m. Saturday, the woman said she and Kessler got into a series of squabbles that led to Kessler pushing her. The woman’s 7-year-old son — Kessler is not his father — said his mother nearly fell.
Arguments continued throughout Saturday, culminating when Kessler allegedly twice threw a remote control at his girlfriend. She was not hit.
Another round of arguments Sunday led the girlfriend to try to leave again. Kessler reportedly said he did not want her to leave, but the woman continued toward the door.
“I felt Kurtiss grab my hair and pull me away and down to the ground,” the woman said.
When the woman tried again to leave, she said Kessler threw a tennis shoe at her. Both of the woman’s sons were watching as the shoe hit the back of her neck.
Throughout the weekend, the woman said she felt she could not leave the home. Ginkowski did not elaborate about why, although another court official said the woman did not drive and relied on Kessler for transportation.
The woman tried to take back her story Monday. However, Ginkowski said, she told deputies over the weekend that she feared for her safety. She also feared that Kessler might lose his job at the Kenosha Police Department.
“That is in the balance,” defense attorney Larry Keating said.
Keating pressed for a lesser bond, largely because the alleged victim was not seriously hurt.
Mason rejected the request, largely because of Kessler’s job.
“He is a police officer and he, quote, ought to know better,” Mason said.
Kessler’s criminal history also figured into his bond.
In 2004, Kessler was charged for pointing his duty handgun at his then-girlfriend’s head.
Kessler pleaded guilty to vandalism and two counts of disorderly conduct for the November 2003 incident. He was sentenced to three days in jail and two years probation, which he successfully completed. He also was ordered to pay $1,500 in fines and pay restitution.
Other charges of vandalism, disorderly conduct and pointing a firearm at a person’s head were dismissed but read into Kessler’s record, which meant they were considered for sentencing.
But Kessler was suspended for 55 days without pay. Much of that suspension was served while Kessler was on bond, which also prevented him from carrying a gun. He could not work for four months, as a result.
Former Police Chief Dan Wade said investigators found nothing “legally substantial” to support the gun claim and, therefore, dismissal from the department was not warranted.
Morrissey said it was too early to decide Kessler’s future with the department in light of the new allegations, but said he would not wait until the case was over to decide.
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