CHIEF JOHN JOSTEN, BLOOMINGDALE PD

CHIEF JOHN JOSTEN, BLOOMINGDALE PD [MAY 15, 2009]

Bloomingdale to pay former chief $19K
In return, John Josten has to agree to resign
WOODTV 8 NEWS
Updated: Thursday, 17 Dec 2009, 4:11 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 17 Dec 2009, 3:43 PM EST
· By Ken Kolker
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/sw_mich/Bloomingdale-to-pay-former-chief-19K

BLOOMINGDALE, Mich. (WOOD) - The village of Bloomingdale has agreed to pay a $19,000 settlement to its former police chief, who was suspended after a conviction for assaulting his wife.

In exchange, former chief John Josten has agreed to sign a letter of resignation dated May 22, 2009, his last day on the job.

The village will pay $9,000 and its insurance company through the Michigan Municipal League will pay the remaining $10,000, village trustee Thomas Barczak said.

"It's what we offered him in the spring before all this blew up," Barczak told 24 Hour News 8 on Thursday.

The village council approved the settlement Tuesday. It calls for the chief to drop the lawsuit he filed against the village over his suspension.

Josten alleged the council suspended him without the 30-day notice required by his contract.

His attorney, Douglas Merrow, said Josten has agreed to the settlement.

Josten, who has a history of assaults, was suspended without pay after he assaulted his wife -- Allegan County Deputy Jodi Josten -- in April.

He allegedly threw a glass during an argument that hit his wife in the shoulder.

Josten pleaded guilty, was given up to one year probation and ordered to pay $415 in fines and other costs. But the case will be dismissed if he completes court-ordered therapy.

He received a year of probation for assault and battery in 1978 in Portage, and was charged in 2004 with assaulting a man. That case was dismissed after he was placed on prosecutorial probation.

Josten's suspension divided Bloomingdale, a village of 500 people in northern Van Buren County, leading to recall petitions that were approved against three council members. The recall election is set for Feb. 23.

A successful recall could lead to Josten's re-hiring, Merrow said.

"I understand he's got very strong backing in the community," the attorney said. "His performance there has just been stellar."





Bloomingdale ex-police Chief John Josten settles lawsuit with village
By Rod Smith Special to the Kalamazoo Gaz...
December 16, 2009, 11:10PM
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/12/bloomingdale_ex-police_chief_j.html
BLOOMINGDALE — The village of Bloomingdale has approved a settlement of a lawsuit brought by the former police chief.

The council on Tuesday agreed to pay former Chief John Josten $19,000 if he agrees to drop his lawsuit. The village is paying $9,000, the insurance company $10,000.

“It will allow Mr. Josten to submit a letter of resignation effective May 22, 2009, which was his last day of work,” said Mike Bogren, an attorney for the Michigan Municipal League, which insures the village.

Bogren said the dispute was over contract language that called for Josten being given a written notice, but instead he was suspended without a written notice.

Josten’s lawyer, Douglas Merrow, said the settlement is the amount called for in the contract.

Merrow said the settlement “is a fair resolution of what his rights were under the contract that he had signed.”

Josten had been arrested and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence in Allegan County. The assault and battery charge can be dropped if he complies with court requirements for a year.

Josten’s firing has brought much criticism against the village council. Five of the seven council members are the subjects of a recall election on Feb. 23.

Targeted are Village President Tom Rock, President Pro Tem Thomas Barczak and Trustees Toni Rankin, Shirley Noble and William Rawlings.

Trustee Herbert Van Horn voted against firing Josten and Trustee Judy Little was not on the council at that time. Neither is being targeted for recall.

Referring to the recall election, Merrow said he was “fairly confident” that Josten would be back on the job after February.

“People just think the world of him,” Merrow said.








Bloomingdale's ex-police chief sues village
By Kalamazoo Gazette staff
October 09, 2009, 10:17PM
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/10/bloomingdales_ex-police_chief.html
BLOOMINGDALE — Bloomingdale’s former police chief has sued the village, claiming the village council lacked cause to fire him and breached his contract.

John Josten was fired last month following his arrest earlier this year on a domestic-violence charge.

A lawsuit filed Monday in Van Buren County Circuit Court alleges Josten was denied due process by the village and seeks that he be reinstated or be awarded least 90 days each of his salary and severance pay, as well as accrued sick pay.

Josten’s suit alleges the village has failed to comply with a request for records under the Freedom of Information Act and seeks costs, attorney fees and punitive damages against the village. It also claims Josten was fired in part for “having made arrests in the past of certain relatives of village council members,” according to a news release by his attorney that accompanied a copy of the lawsuit.

Josten, of Otsego, and his Kalamazoo attorney, Douglas A. Merrow, will not comment further on the suit, the release said.

The Kalamazoo Gazette was unable to reach Mark Manning, the village’s attorney, for comment.

In May, Josten pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge, which will be dismissed within a year if he complies with court-ordered requirements, stemming from a domestic-assault incident in Allegan County.

The village council voted May 26 to suspend him with pay, then in July began termination proceedings. It voted Sept. 15 to fire Josten.

Some village residents have sought to persuade the council to reinstate Josten and have circulated petition to recall council members. Village President Tom Rock said in September that he believed there will be a recall election in February.

Josten, the village's only police officer, was hired in 1993 and named chief later that year. With his departure, Bloomingdale has relied on police coverage from the Van Buren Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police.








Bloomingdale fires police chief
WWMT NEWS
September 17, 2009 5:07 PM
http://www.wwmt.com/articles/police-1367123-county-0in.html

VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Months of heated debate have come to a head with the firing of Bloomingdale's police chief.

The village council voted to dismiss Chief John Josten.

The firing comes after Josten pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in Allegan County in May. That, however, wasn't their only reason.

The debate over Josten's dismissal has been personal.

Three council members, all under threat of recall campaigns connected to the debate over Josten, had their tires slashed in September.

They believe the damage to their vehicles and the debate over Josten are connected.

Josten had been on suspension since May 26th. He was not only the police chief, he was the only cop in the village. In the interim, Michigan State Police and Van Buren County Deputies have taken up the slack.





Bloomingdale fires chief of police
WOOD TV-8 NEWS
John Josten out on 5-1 vote
Updated: Thursday, 17 Sep 2009, 1:24 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 17 Sep 2009, 1:19 PM EDT
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/sw_mich/Bloomingdale_fires_chief_of_police

BLOOMINGDALE, Mich. (WOOD) - By a 5-1 vote, John Josten was fired as chief of the Bloomingdale police.

The vote comes after he was suspended for a domestic assault, and amid allegations the village council was targeting him because he arrested some of them.

The vote came after negotiations between attorneys representing the village and the chief.

Among the five voting to remove Josten were t hree who had their tires slashed last week -- the same three who are the target of an ongoing recall effort.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this story.





Council fires Bloomingdale police chief
Kalamazoo Gazette
Thursday, September 17, 2009
BY ROD SMITH
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-35/1253199048143080.xml&coll=7

Special to the Gazette

BLOOMINGDALE -- The Bloomingdale Village Council has fired Police Chief John Josten, ending months of community debate.

Josten's firing follows his arrest on a misdemeanor domestic-violence charge in Allegan County.

In May, he pleaded guilty to the assault charge, which will be dismissed within a year if he complies with court-ordered requirements.

In making the motion to terminate Josten's employment at Tuesday's council meeting, President Pro Tem Tom Barczak cited actions against council members, including the slashing of tires on some council members' vehicles.

President Tom Rock said the tire slashings occurred Monday.

``I myself had my tires on my truck slashed,'' Rock said. ``Bill Rawlings had his, and Nick Rankin had his.''

Three council members -- Rock, Rawlings and Toni Rankin -- also have been targeted in recall campaigns in connection with Josten's firing.

``The reason that I'm making a motion is that we need to terminate a situation that is dragging on and is getting to be personal,'' Barczak said.

With no discussion, the council voted 5-1 to fire Josten. Trustee Herbert Van Horn cast the dissenting vote.

The council voted May 26 to suspend Josten, the village's only police officer, with pay. During his suspension, the village has relied on officers from the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office and the Michigan State Police.

In July, former Village President Bill Miller presented a petition to the Village Council that sought Josten's reinstatement. The petition contained the names of 130 village residents.

Josten, who attended Tuesday's meeting, declined to comment on his dismissal, saying he'd been advised by his attorney to not comment.

Josten was hired in 1993 and named chief later that year. He had worked for the Bangor Police Department for two years and formerly served with the Allegan County Sheriff's Department Mounted Division.





Vandals target Bloomingdale officials
3 officials supported suspension of John Josten
WOOD TV-8 NEWS
Updated: Monday, 14 Sep 2009, 9:03 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 14 Sep 2009, 9:03 PM EDT
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/sw_mich/Vandals_target_Bloomingdale_officials

BLOOMINGDALE, Mich. (WOOD) - The village president of Bloomingdale and two other councilmembers had their car tires slashed early Monday morning.

The slashings are considered malicious destructions of property, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department.

The victims are village president Tom Rock and councilmembers Bill Rawlings and Toni Rankin.

The incident is "awful strange," Rock told 24 Hour News 8. "The three people from the council being recalled all had their tires slashed. It wasn't ... random. They singled out our three vehicles."

Rock, Rawlings and Rankin all supported the suspension of Bloomingdale police chief John Josten, after he pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife -- Allegan County Deputy Jodi Josten -- in April 2009.

Josten has a history of assaults, and is suspended without pay. He may lose his job after pleading guilty.

Many Bloomingdale residents support Josten and last week circulated a petition to have Rock, Rawlings and Rankin recalled.

"Hopefully, it does not escalate from this, but if (the suspects think) they are going to intimidate any one of the three (of us) by puncturing our tires, they're just in the wrong position," Rock said. "In fact, it proves our point.

"We had some tough decisions to make. We didn't force (Josten) to plead guilty to the assault."

The sheriff's department says "all three cases appear to be related" and asks anyone with information to contact officials. The department can be reached at (269) 657-3101 and Silent Observer's number is (269) 343-2100.







Slashed tires believed to have been politically motivated

WWMT NEWS
September 15, 2009 5:39 PM
http://www.wwmt.com/articles/slashed-1367026-margin-0in.html

VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Deputies in Van Buren County want to track down the people who went on a tire-slashing spree.

Three cars had tires slashed around the Village of Bloomingdale on Sunday morning.

One of the victims of the tire slashing say the incidents weren't random. All three victims are village officials in Bloomingdale, and all three are in danger of getting recalled.

"It's just an unfortunate situation all around," said William Rawlings.

Rawlings came outside to go to work on Monday to find an unpleasant discovery.

"I just thought I had a flat, then I got out and both these tires were slashed," said Rawlings.

And Rawlings wasn't alone in seeing his vehicle struck, two tires on Toni Rankin's truck were also slashed. Rankin, like Rawlings, is a village trustee in Bloomingdale. Village president Tom Rock was also made a target.

All three officials face recalls, the county approved petition language at the start of September, and citizens now have about six months to gather 35 signatures for each of them. Then the voters will decide, likely in February of 2010, whether the three will remain in office.

"So I'm sure that has a little bit to do with why we got our tires cut," said Rawlings.

The three all supported the suspension of Village Police Chief John Josten without pay. Josten pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife in April.

William Rawlings has served the village for almost four years, and now he's worried about what village politics will lead to.

"Maybe they were trying to send a message, but my concern is what is going to be next?" asked Rawlings. "Is this going to escalate?"

Anyway with informations about the slashed tires is asked to call the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department at 269-657-3101.









Bloomingdale, a one-cop town until now
Chief suspended; he claims retaliation
Updated: Thursday, 10 Sep 2009, 6:23 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 10 Sep 2009, 11:00 AM EDT
WOOD TV 8 NEWS
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/sw_mich/Bloomingdale_a_one_cop_town_until_now

Ken Kolker
BLOOMINGDALE, Mich. (WOOD) - This is a tiny village with a police department normally half the size of TV's Mayberry. It was a one-cop town -- until now.

And, that has torn apart this village, leaving it without a police chief, and, without a police department.

"He can't patrol," said Village Council Member Thomas Barczak. "We're not paying him."

Chief John Josten blames the Village Council. "I do believe it's a retaliatory motive that they've had," for arrests he's made of village council members or their relatives, Josten told 24 Hour News 8.

Bloomingdale is in northern Van Buren County, southwest of Allegan. Home to slightly more than 500 people -- a farming community, an old railroad town without a railroad.

Josten, who has a history of assaults, is suspended without pay and expects to lose his job after he assaulted his wife -- Allegan County Deputy Jodi Josten -- in April.

He allegedly threw a glass during an argument that hit his wife in the shoulder. He pleaded guilty in June through a domestic diversion program, was placed on up to a year probation and was ordered to pay $415 in fines and costs.

But the case will be dismissed if he completes court-ordered therapy.

Allegan County Judge William Baillargeon amended his probation, allowing Josten to carry a gun for work.

Many in the village support him. Some have signed a petition to force the village to keep Josten, who has worked there nearly 18 years. His contract, obtained by 24 Hour News 8 through the Freedom of Information Act, shows he was paid $38,500 a year to work 40 hours a week.

Van Buren County on Wednesday approved a petition to recall the village president, Thomas Rock, and village council members Tony Rankins and William Rawlings. However, the county denied wording on a petition to recall two other members: Thomas Barczak and Shirley Noble.

Village residents pay 10 mills in property taxes for their own police protection. Right now, they're getting nothing for their money. State police and the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department is responding to complaints, village officials said.

Some question why Josten kept the job as long as he did -- with a 1978 assault conviction in Portage, and an assault arrest in Barry County five years ago. Details in the 1978 case were not available, though State Police records show he was placed on probation for a year and ordered to pay fines.

In the 2004 case in Barry County's Yankee Springs, court records show, he allegedly assaulted a man, threatened witnesses and "acted inappropriately" during the investigation. He was placed on "prosecutorial probation" and the case later was dismissed. Records don't indicate why.

He could lose his job by Friday.

Josten claims he's being targeted by a vindictive Village Council after he arrested two council members and the grandson of another in recent years.

"I arrested Tom Rock for assault and battery and disorderly conduct on a senior citizen," he said.

Van Buren County court records show Josten arrested Village President Thomas Rock for assaulting a man and for disorderly conduct in August 2008 -- months before Josten's most recent arrest.

The president's assault case was dismissed, but he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay fines.

"I've worked for other small towns -- I've worked for Bangor; I've worked for Paw Paw, which is a larger town -- but you usually don't have council members that are getting in trouble with the law," Josten said.

Rock refused to comment about Josten's retaliation allegations, saying that the chief was "suspended and terminated for cause." He says the village has treated the chief fairly.

There are no records available in what Josten claims was the arrest of a second village council member, or the arrest of a council member's grandson. He also claims the grandson has been "following me" and calling his grandmother -- the council member -- "telling her each move I make. I've seen her husband following me all around town, watching everything I do."

Josten said he wants the job back, but not under the current council. "I love this community," he said. "I've been here a long time. I live here. My kids go to school here. But this particular group of council members -- there's been such a breakdown with the relationship between police and them. I don't believe I could effect good law enforcement here."




[WOOD TV 8 NEWS]





Bloomingdale police chief arrested
Charged with midemeanor domestic assault

WOOD TV 8
Updated: Friday, 22 May 2009, 6:18 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 22 May 2009, 11:56 AM EDT
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/sw_mich/Bloomingdale_police_chief_arrested

BLOOMINGDALE, Mich. (WOOD) - A Van Buren County police chief was arrested Friday morning on a misdemeanor assault charge.

The Allegan County Sheriff's Department took Bloomingdale Police Chief John Josten into custody.

Josten made an appearance in Allegan District Court on a misemeanor domestic violence charge involving his wife, an Allegan County Sheriff's deputy.

Josten allegedly threw a glass during an argument that hit his wife in the shoulder nearly a month ago.

Bloomingdale is a village of 500-600 people. One resident talked to 24 Hour News 8 and gave the chief credit for shutting down a crack house in the village and gaining the respect of the community.

"In this particular village he's done well," said Michael Cosby. "Because the crime rate's low and he's caught four or five people who have done breakins so he does his job."

The problem for the village is that Josten may not be able to continue as police chief because the judge today told him he had to stay away from firearms. He can't carry a weapon.

That could quickly end his law enforcement career no matter the outcome of the domestic violence allegation.

The village president today had just heard about the charge and had no comment but said Josten's future as chief is up to the village council.

If found guilty Josten could serve a maximum of 93 days in jail.

A look at Josten's criminal background reveals an assault conviction in 1978.






Chief John Josten, Bloomingdale PD [MI]. [WOOD TV 8 NEWS]






Police chief suspended in Bloomingdale after being charged with assault
Posted by Rex Hall Jr. Kalamazoo Gazette May 28, 2009 01:00AM
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/05/police_chief_suspended_in_bloo.html

BLOOMINGDALE -- Bloomingdale's police chief has been suspended from his duties pending the outcome of an assault charge against him.

John Josten, 53, of Otsego, is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Allegan County on a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery against a family member, authorities said.

The Bloomingdale Village Council during a special meeting Tuesday suspended Josten, with pay, from his duties as police chief through June 19, council President Tom Rock said.

"We're all awaiting the outcome," Rock, reached Wednesday, said of the charge against Josten. "We have no more information than you do on the situation."

Josten turned himself in at the Allegan County Sheriff's Office last Friday after the prosecutor's office authorized a warrant based on an investigation by the Michigan State Police, Lt. Dave Greydanus said.

Police began investigating Josten on May 15 after troopers received a report alleging he had been involved in an assault on a family member, Greydanus said. He declined to give the exact relationship between Josten and the family member.

Josten was hired as a Bloomingdale police officer in 1993 and promoted to chief that same year. He is Bloomingdale's only police officer, but Rock said the village will not seek additional police support during the time the chief is suspended.

"We have total coverage as any other village does in the county," the council president said, referring to coverage from the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police.

Bloomingdale, in Van Buren County, is about 15 miles north of Paw Paw.

An Allegan County District Court official said Josten is scheduled to appear at 10 a.m. Friday for arraignment on the assault charge.

Kalamazoo Gazette Staff Writer Lynn Turner contributed to this report. She can be reached at (269) 388-8564 or lturner@kalamazoogazette.com.






Bloomingdale Police Department [WOOD TV 8 NEWS]




Police Chief enters guilty plea
June 12, 2009 4:30 PM
http://www.wwmt.com/articles/mich-1363525-allegan-newschannel.html

ALLEGAN COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – John Josten, Chief of Police in Bloomingdale, pleaded guilty Friday at his pretrial hearing in Allegan District Court.

Josten pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic assault, and has received a deferred sentencing. This means that Josten must complete a probationary period where he attends counseling, does not contact his wife, and doesn't consume drugs or alcohol.

If Josten successfully completes the probationary period, the misdemeanor will be erased from his record.





Bloomingdale, Michigan [WOOD TV 8 NEWS]







Bloomingdale police chief pleads guilty to domestic violence
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Kalamazoo
BY LYNN TURNER
lturner@kalamazoogazette.com
(269) 388-8564
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-34/124525024525610.xml&coll=7
BLOOMINGDALE -- Bloomingdale's police chief remains on suspension with pay after pleading guilty to a domestic-violence charge in Allegan County that can be dismissed within a year if he complies with court-ordered sanctions.

It is not clear, however, when John Josten, 53, of Otsego, may return to his job as police chief and sole officer for the village of about 500 people.

Members of the Bloomingdale Village Council were to have met for a regular meeting Tuesday night. However, council President Tom Rock said it was unlikely that court documents about the proceedings would be available then for them to discuss the case.

``We do not know (what happened in court),'' Rock said. ``We have no documentation, no clarification ... no knowledge of anything.

``It's something that's going to be an issue until we the council and the police committee get together and go over it.''

The council voted May 26 to suspend Josten, with pay, until June 19.

Josten pleaded under a law that allows a person who assaults a domestic partner to plead guilty to the charge but have sentencing deferred for up to a year.

As part of his plea on Friday, Josten, like any defendant in a similar case, was ordered by Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon to attend counseling, get a substance-abuse assessment and have no contact with the victim, District Court Administrator Linda Lenahan said.

The court was working to amend his bond conditions so that he could carry a firearm in the course of his work, she said.

If he is successful during his probation, Josten's charge would be dismissed no later than June 14, 2010, and the case would become nonpublic, Lenahan said.




Bloomingdale Police Department [MI]. [WOOD TV 8 NEWS]





Petition: Retain Bloomingdale chief
Posted by Rod Smith Special to the Kalamazoo Gazette July 23, 2009 10:47AM
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/07/petition_retain_bloomingdale_c.html

BLOOMINGDALE -- It's apparent that a substantial number of people in Bloomingdale would like to see suspended Police Chief John Josten reinstated.

Former Village President Bill Miller presented a petition to the Bloomingdale Village Council Tuesday bearing the names of 130 village residents. The village has a population of about 500.

Although many village residents believe that Josten has been fired, village President Pro Tem Tom Barczak said that's not the case. The council had voted at a special meeting July 9 to begin the termination process.

"We're going through the process at the present time," Barczak said. Terms are being negotiated, he said.

Steps toward termination began after Josten, 53, of Otsego, was arrested for and pleaded guilty in Allegan County to a misdemeanor domestic-violence charge. The assault-and-battery charge can be dismissed if he complies with court requirements for a year.

Josten is the village's only police officer. During his suspension without pay, the village is relying on officers from the Van Buren Sheriff's Office and the Michigan State Police.

Former village President Bill Miller said many Bloomingdale residents believe Josten has been fired. Also, he said, some believe the council is adding up other, smaller alleged transgressions in an effort to get rid of Josten.

"The perception is that several council members were out to get Chief Josten," Miller said.

Village Council member Shirley Noble said the council was getting blamed for something it had not done.

"We did not plead guilty to the charge," Noble said. "John's the one."
An audience member on Tuesday supported the council's decision.

"The board did not bring this fiasco into the community," Bill Montgomery said.
Josten was present during the discussion but only responded to a comment that did not address the issues.

Josten was hired in 1993 and named chief later that year. He had worked for the Bangor Police Department for two years and formerly served in the Allegan County Sheriff's Office Mounted Division. He also is a registered nurse.