(Des Moines, IA) -- A veteran sergeant with the Des Moines Police department has resigned, amid an investigation into inappropriate and/or insensitive comments. Colleagues of Sergeant Greg Wessels spoke out against comments Wessels reportedly made this week during police union meeting.
Sergeant Paul Parezik tells WHO Radio News police command staff were notified about the comments and an initial review was started. Wessels was placed on administrative leave and then resigned today (Friday).
Sgt. Parezik says the officers felt comfortable reporting the comments, which is in line with protocol. He says that's what the department wants to happen and that's what the community wants as well. He says during police academy training, officers undergo implicit bias training as well as instruction about controlling their tempers. He says that's part of initial training and is part of ongoing, yearly training.