SUMNER - An investigation into allegations the Sumner police chief assaulted a minor is now in the hands of the Black Hawk County attorney.

Tom Ferguson said the case involving Police Chief Arlin Rieck arrived in the mail Tuesday. Bremer County Attorney Kasey Wadding said he forwarded the information to Ferguson, his counterpart in Black Hawk County. The practice is common when authorities perceive potential conflicts of interest.

"We have received it. We are reviewing it," Ferguson said Wednesday. "We are hopeful we'll have a decision within the near future."

Ferguson did not assign a timeline to the process, adding he may need to gather more information before deciding if charges are warranted.

Lisa Converse of Sumner, mother of Skylar Converse, the alleged victim, declined an opportunity to comment because the incident is under investigation.

Bremer County Sheriff Duane Hildebrandt last week confirmed his department investigated allegations of an assault by Chief Rieck against a minor. The incident was reported to the sheriff's office around July 26, Hildebrandt said.

Sumner Mayor Gary Walke declined to answer questions about the situation, but confirmed that the investigation was in the hands of Black Hawk County. Attempts to contact three City Council members were unsuccessful and a fourth declined comment. Several phones calls to Chief Rieck at home and at the police department were not returned.

Talk about the investigation - a sensitive topic in the small community - is circulating through businesses, eateries and households.

Barb Grabill, an active member of the community, said she doesn't have firsthand information about the incident. But she applauded the track record of the long-standing police chief, noting Rieck's service in the armed forces and work on the veterans memorial project in town. She said she has faith in Rieck's decision-making abilities on the job.

"It's a good, solid family, and he's taken care of business for Sumner," Grabill said.

Candy Quail of rural Sumner said she took photographs of Skylar Converse's alleged injuries. Kelli Morgan, Quail's friend, distributed the images via e-mail. One message reached the Courier from the address sumnercitizens@hotmail.com.

The photos show several red marks on the boy's torso.

Quail said the boy and her 14-year-old son, Cody Copp, came to her after an alleged altercation with Rieck. Her son said he and his friend were confronted by Rieck for jumping off a bridge and into the creek below.

Copp said his friends like to swim under a bridge accessible from City Park in Sumner. Copp said the activity apparently attracted Rieck's attention, and he approached as Copp, Converse and another boy were getting ready to leave.

"He said that we weren't supposed to be jumping there," Copp said.

Copp added he argued with Rieck and questioned the chief's assertion that, in the past, the boys had been ordered not to jump from the bridge.

Copp said he did not see everything because he went to retrieve personal belongings, which were by the creek. When he returned, Copp said he saw Rieck holding Converse's arm behind the boy's back. Rieck also was pushing the youth against a bench, Copp said.

Morgan said she distributed Quail's photos to add credibility to the allegations after some people in town reportedly questioned the boys' story. She said she decided to take a stand against what she feels is a misuse of authority and poor judgment by Rieck.

"We don't understand why he was not put on a leave of absence until the investigation is over," Morgan said.

Dean Jacobson, a retired investigator with the Bremer County sheriff's office who lives in Sumner, urges people to remember two sides exist for every story. He also expressed concern media coverage would push the public to form opinions based on incomplete information.

" … Please let the system run its course before you make judgments," Jacobson said.

City Clerk Lisa Oberbroeckling said the policy for placing city department leaders or officials on a leave of absence depends on the situation and advised those with questions to review the city code.

Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.