Beloit Police Chief Sam Lathrop is stepping down into retirement, as new details emerge about an alleged relationship with a subordinate officer.
City Manager Larry Arft says Lathrops' relationship with a Sergeant on the police force had a lot to do with the decision. The chief is currently going through a divorce.
Arft says there's no specific policy on relationships between a superior and subordinate, but the situation still did spark concerns about the command structure. Arft says he began having discussions with Lathrop about his relationship with a police department subordinate a couple of months ago.
Lathrop, reached by cell phone, says his relationship did not affect public safety in any way, and that he's leaving the department in extremely good hands. He also stated it's intensely personal and not open to discussion.
