Traverse City Police Investigation Headed To Prosecutor

An investigation by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office into whether the Traverse City Police Department committed any wrongdoing while handling the case of former city manager Jered Ottenwess is "substantially complete," Sheriff Tom Bensley tells The Ticker. After a nearly month-long inquiry, Bensley said his department turned over its findings Wednesday to Prosecuting Attorney Bob Cooney for review.

"I can't comment on the details, because it's up to the prosecuting attorney to decide if there is a case," Bensley says. Cooney instructed the Sheriff's Office on March 6 to review the TCPD's handling of Ottenwess' case, which raised questions on why the former city manager was not arrested following a drunken disturbance at his home that eventually led to criminal charges of domestic violence and attempting to assault a police officer and Ottenwess' resignation. Ottenwess directly oversaw the city police department in his capacity as city manager.

Cooney, who is out of the office on vacation this week, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.