By Ryan Haggerty
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee Fire Department dispatcher accused of calling in sick before a shift but instead going to a bar has been fired, according to city documents.
The city’s Fire and Police Commission was informed of the discipline at its meeting Thursday night.
According to a complaint filed with the commission:
Robert J. Koch, who was scheduled to begin his shift on Sept. 9 at 11:30 p.m., “went out with his friends” before his shift began.
He called in to request sick leave just after 10 p.m.
At 11:27 p.m., Koch “informed dispatch he was driving to the hospital, but in fact, he drove to a bar,” the complaint says.
Koch also “lied about his use of alcohol,” according to the complaint.
Koch has appealed the discipline, according to the commission. He could not be reached for comment.
Also Thursday, the commission was notified that Milwaukee police Sgt. Pamela J. Holmes has been suspended 10 days without pay on accusations that she left her district without permission to respond to an incident involving a family member at Roosevelt Middle School.
According to a complaint filed with the commission:
Holmes was ordered by a supervisor at the District 4 station to serve as an acting lieutenant on the morning of March 11.
At about 8:15 a.m., however, she left District 4 on the city’s northwest side and drove to the school at 800 W. Walnut St.
Holmes later admitted to a captain that she did not tell her supervisor she was leaving the district because she knew the supervisor would not give her permission to do so. Holmes, who could not be reached for comment, also has appealed her suspension, according to the Fire and Police Commission.
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