Kenosha court officer demoted after internal investigation found he slept on duty

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton demoted Ryan Nader from court officer to police officer and removed him from his Municipal Court assignment effective Sunday, Nov. 15. An internal investigation found that Nader slept on duty, caused unnecessary procedural delays and acted unprofessionally toward city staff.

The investigation began Aug. 26 after several employees working in the Municipal Building raised concerns about Nader’s conduct. Lt. Adam Jurgens of the department’s Office of Professional Standards led the investigation, which included interviews and a review of video and county lab records for blood-test kit submissions.

In a Nov. 9 disciplinary memo, Patton said Nader’s inattentiveness compromised courtroom security and the safety of employees who relied on him. Patton also said Nader’s delays slowed the processing of evidence. The memo did not identify any affected cases or specify how long evidence processing was delayed.

Patton said multiple city employees independently described a pattern of conduct that continued after Nader received a written reprimand on Oct. 14, 2024, for policy violations that included using unprofessional language with a city employee. The chief also took into account that Nader spoke candidly during his interview about sleeping in court, his language and his interactions with staff and the public.

Nader signed an acceptance of the discipline on Nov. 10 and waived his right to a hearing before the Kenosha Police and Fire Commission. Patton said Nader would be reassigned based on the department’s needs and the seniority provisions of its union contract. The memo did not specify his next assignment.

The commission’s Tuesday, Nov. 17 agenda lists a notice of the demotion. Commission records show Nader was serving as a Kenosha police officer by 2008, when then-Chief John Morrissey issued him a letter of recognition for his actions in response to a homicide.

Patton is expected to serve as police chief through Dec. 31. Mayor David Bogdala selected him to succeed the retiring Morrissey as Kenosha’s city administrator, and the Common Council unanimously approved the appointment on Oct. 19. Patton begins the new role Jan. 1, 2027.

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