GREENFIELD, Wis. — The Greenfield Police and Fire Commission voted unanimously Thursday night to schedule a conference on Mayor Mike Neitzke’s effort to remove Police Chief Jay Johnson from office. The vote came after commissioners met in closed session to discuss a statement of charges filed against Johnson. The action does not decide whether Johnson will be disciplined or removed; it moves the matter into the commission’s formal process. Johnson has been on paid administrative leave since April 2025, when the city cited workplace concerns and began an internal review. Later that year, he was criminally charged with misconduct in public office over allegations that he used a city-owned surveillance camera at his home during divorce proceedings. Johnson is fighting those criminal charges, with his next court appearance scheduled for November. The city’s internal review is now complete, according to a statement released by Neitzke. On Aug. 18, the Common Council unanimously authorized the mayor to file removal charges, citing what the mayor described as “significant, highly concerning actions and patterns of behavior.” Neitzke formally filed the statement with the Police and Fire Commission on Aug. 28. In his statement, Neitzke said pursuing Johnson’s removal was necessary to protect Greenfield residents, the Police Department and city employees. In a statement Thursday, the mayor called the commission’s vote a “critical step” in determining whether the investigative findings support discipline and, if so, what level of discipline is appropriate. Johnson’s attorney said the defense had received and responded to the statement of charges and planned to vigorously contest the allegations. The city has requested public copies of the statement of charges and the internal investigation report. Johnson’s future with the department will be determined through the Police and Fire Commission’s process.