Co-workers have called Waukesha detective "a hazard on the job," and now, he's in trouble again



WAUKESHA COUNTY (WITI) -- A Waukesha County detective, whom co-workers have called "a hazard on the job" is in trouble again -- this time for domestic-related disorderly conduct.

Co-workers call Waukesha County Detective Pete Korns someone who has "been asleep at the wheel for more than a decade."

But he's managed to keep his job, despite being officially reprimanded nine times since 2011 for misconduct and being suspended for three days earlier this year.

Most recently, sources tell FOX6 News Korns was placed on administrative leave, after co-workers suspected he had been coming to work high on opiates.

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department confirms there's an ongoing investigation, but right now, there's no evidence of wrongdoing -- as they wait for medical reports.

In the meantime, Waukesha police arrested Korns on Monday night, September 8th for domestic-related disorderly conduct.

That's when the sheriff finally suspended Korns' arrest powers.

Korns' co-workers have caught him sleeping on the job and snoring, using his work computer for personal things -- like accessing Craigslist more than 6,000 times, and researching steroids.

In January, he's accused of driving his squad car for two months without a valid driver's license.

He has also been in trouble for not properly storing evidence.

Documents show Korns has used his position as an officer to get special treatment, and at one point he's accused of referring to a Waukesha police officer as "that lesbian detective."

Through it all, Waukesha County Sheriff Dan Trawicki has stood by Korns' side.

"I've been here 35 years so I've known this employee Pete Korns from the day he started. I've supervised him personally for many, many years and I've realized overall he is a good employee," Trawicki said.

In June, Trawicki told FOX6 News he felt like Korns' behavior had changed for the better.

"If I thought this was a person who deserved to be terminated, then I would make that recommendation. I've done it before," Trawicki said.

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department came under fire this summer after a FOX6 investigation revealed the laundry list of violations that have been leveled against Korns over the years.

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department has issued this statement to FOX6 News:

"On September 9, 2014, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department Detective Pete Korns was arrested by the City of Waukesha Police Department on an allegation of Domestic related Disorderly Conduct.  

Detective Korns has been with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department for approximately 26 years and is assigned to the Detective Bureau. 

Consistent with our normal practice, Detective Korns has been placed on administrative leave and his arrest powers have been suspended pending the outcome of the City of Waukesha Police Department’s investigation and our internal investigation.  We will not be releasing any further details of the case until the conclusion of both investigations."

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