Fort Madison, IA – The commission has denied officer William Bowker's appeal to return to the Fort Madison Police Department.
The panel issued a 19-page ruling Monday morning. In it, the commission said Bowker neglected his duty, disobeyed orders, committed misconduct & insubordination, and failed to properly perform his duties.
The Fort Madison Civil Service Commission said it heard enough testimony, during a 3-day hearing in May, to support all but one of the 13 charges against Bowker.
The list included sleeping on the job, using the internet for personal reasons, leading confidential information, and having a sexual affair with the wife of Police Chief Bruce Niggemeyer.
The affair is the reason why City Manager Byron Smith fired Bowker in February. Bowker had already been dismissed from the Lee County Narcotics Task Force.
The commission said termination was the only possible remedy, based on the brazen nature of the affair. The panel cited several Iowa Supreme Court cases in its recommendation.
Bowker can appeal the ruling of the Fort Madison Civil Service Commission in district court.