Kenosha police officer who has written more than 2,000 citations in the last five years is not leading by example: opinion

Over the past five years, Kenosha Police Officer Nicholas J. Benvenuto has written more than 2,000 citations. That’s over 95% of law enforcement in the Kenosha area. At the same time, he wrote 99 warnings. Benvenuto also handles seasonal motorcycle details. In the 2023 season, from April 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023, Benvenuto wrote 489 citations. That’s about 100 a month.

When Benvenuto deals with motorcycles, his job is to ensure road safety and issue tickets. He does it. However, both on and off duty, Benvenuto fails to live up to his own expectations. If you’re given thousands of speeding tickets, you should be driving within the speed limit. Benvenuto is probably getting faster every day. We do not know. However, we know that Benvenuto was disciplined for driving on and off duty at least six times – and he was also disciplined for other reasons, such as lying on a police report. He even served a 10-day unpaid suspension for dangerous driving.

1-3. Benvenuto was on his way to court one day and was off duty. He was driving on Sheridan Road and was stopped by an on-duty police officer who was going 52 in a 30 zone. He drove so close to the officer (who was at the stop) that the officer abandoned his current stop to catch Benvenuto, not knowing who he was. The officer reported to a supervisor that Benvenuto was driving so fast and close to him that he “shook the unit.” When the officer approached the car, he recognized his co-worker and Benvenuto actually laughed, angering the officer who could have been injured or even killed as a result of Benvenuto’s dangerous driving. Benvenuto received a written reprimand but no speeding ticket. The disciplinary letter noted that Benvenuto was “coached” twice by his sergeant for driving violations while on duty.

4. Benvenuto was on patrol and took the priest with him in a police car. Benvenuto gave chase on foot and was caught on dash cam driving at 58 miles per hour and nearly hitting the vehicle. Benvenuto was driving so fast without his lights or sirens on. He later drove at 72 mph, then 62 mph, all on city streets where the posted speed limit is usually 25. Benvenuto also had to apply his brakes to avoid hitting another police car at 52nd St and 26th Ave. Benvenuto received another written warning.

5. Benvenuto got out of his police car, leaving the engine running and the car running. When he returned to the yard, he learned that he had hit a building. Benvenuto received a written warning.

6. Benvenuto was involved in a road accident for which he was neither dispatched nor asked for help. He also did not notify dispatchers of his response. Benvenuto was driving at 84 mph on Alford Park, a road with a 35 mph speed limit. The second KPD officer who was already on the scene called the dispatcher: “Slow down, he’s fine.” The officer said this to enable officers on the road to reduce their speed and therefore reduce the risk of injury to others. Police administrators don’t want their officers to speed unless necessary. Even after the accident victim was told everything was OK, Benvenuto turned onto 7th Ave, a 25 mph zone, narrowly missing the cyclist and traveling at 68 mph. Then-Chief John Morrissey seemed to have had enough of the officer’s dangerous driving, writing in part:

“In reviewing your personnel file, I find that you have significant documentation, discipline and references to saving vehicle operation

I believe that significant disciplinary action is desirable in this matter. Your operation of the troop in the manner described above is not consistent with the rules and was not conducted with due respect. Your actions created a risk to yourself, other officers at the scene, pedestrians and cyclists, and other vehicle users.

I am disappointed and concerned by your actions here. I sincerely hope that you will make further disciplinary action unnecessary and that you will take the required steps to ensure that you use company vehicles in a safe, responsible, intelligent and legal manner at all times. Discipline may range from removal from the Kenosha Police Department’s Motor Unit to termination of employment.

Nicholas J. Benvenuto will be suspended without pay for a total of 10 days.”

7. Benvenuto investigated a disorderly conduct incident. As part of the investigation, he went to interview the subject at another location and involved him in the case. They ended up arresting someone who had children with them.

Benvenuto did not complete the report on time and because he did not complete the report, the third shift manager who was reviewing the arrest card began to have doubts about the whereabouts of the three young children. This required further investigation by another officer who was tasked with finding the children, who were ultimately deemed safe. In the report, Benvenuto lied and wrote that “the children were left in care *name changed* until my father arrives.” The supervisor wrote: “This statement is not accurate. You admitted that you did not wait for the children’s father to arrive at the scene and therefore had no way of knowing whether he arrived. You never had direct contact with your father, instead relying on a third party to contact him. You failed to follow proper procedure in relation to the juvenile crisis placement training note.” Benvenuto received a verbal reprimand.

What does all this mean? This means that Benvenuto ruins people’s days all the time. He seems to enjoy writing tickets. These are not serious fines either, I write many small citations almost every day. However, he is not held to the same standards and expects special treatment. When he almost ran over a cop, he got a letter on his file, you or I would have been charged with a crime. In fact, Benvenuto once charged a man (albeit a criminal one) for speeding through a traffic stop. He claimed that his life was in danger. Apparently that wasn’t the case. Benvenuto can be seen in the reflection of the driver’s window. He didn’t even flinch. The crime was dismissed.

Santa Claus. Do better, man. Drive safely or stop ticketing and extorting money from hard-working Kenosha residents for little things. Lead by example. The KPD today has an excellent reputation for excellent leadership at the top, and you are putting it at risk with your antics. Do better.

(*Editor’s Note* Full disclosure – this officer recently pulled me over on my Harley. Out of five or six people going the same speed, he chose me when we looked into each other’s eyes. (He doesn’t like me.) It pissed me off that I wore Crocs, which are very comfortable – even on a Harley. He tried to claim that my insurance expired in 2025 – his calculations were wrong, even though my gun was visible. He priced me at 45 in 30 (quote for $98) on 60th Street at fire station 4, where the speed limit should be at least 40. I use this as a speed trap. For those of you who will criticize my choice of footwear, you are going on a morning cruise, you don’t know the true comfort and convenience of Crocs. All of the above aside true and accurate. Are there any sour grapes here?)

KM