Wisconsin Dells is Sued by National Guardsmen Who Claim that They Were Forced to Lick Up Urine in Alley by Officers

Wisconsin National Guardsmen have filed a highly disturbing civil rights lawsuit against the city of Wisconsin Dells, its police chief and three officers. The complaint alleges that police officers Wayne W. Thomas and Collin H. Jacobson forced the two gulf war veterans to lick what was believed to be their own urine off the street in an alley as well as eat a plant believed to be doused with urine. Wisconsin Dells called itself the “waterpark capital of the World.”

Sgt. Anthony R. Anderson, of West Bend, and Specialist Robert C. Schiman were in Wisconsin Dells for new training. Both had already done two tours of duty in Iraq. They were accused of urinating in the alley and, when they denied it, the officers told to lick up what the officers believed was urine or face a citation. The officers also told them to scoop up mud and lick it. Schiman says that he was also told to eat a plant believed to be soaked with urine. It may have been urine in the alley — a common place for people to relieve themselves in the area — but the men insisted that was not theirs.

When a third officer, Scott Albrecht, arrived, he is quoted as telling other officers “I can’t stop laughing. Wayne just made those two guys lick their own piss off the ground,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit asks for $600,000 and claims infliction of emotional distress on the soldiers; negligent hiring, training and supervision of Thomas and Jacobson; false imprisonment and violation of the constitutional and civil rights of Anderson and Schiman.

The department has recommended discipline for the three officers.

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