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Investigators request charges against TC police captain

Investigators with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department recommend criminal charges against a Traverse City police captain. A report released Thursday says Captain Mike Ayling mishandled a police call to the home of then-City Manager JeredOttenwess.

Ottenwess was not arrested during the February incident but later pleaded “no contest” to charges of domestic violence and resisting police. The investigators asked County Prosecutor Bob Cooney charge Ayling with “willful neglect of public duty.”

Cooney says the request is not an actual criminal charge.

“The sheriff believes we should take a look at that possibility but it’s not a charge at this point," said Cooney. "It’s merely a possible consideration as we review the complaint.”

Cooney asked the state attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor in the case.

“I think it would be a conflict for me to both be a complaining witness – a potential factual witness in the case – and also make a decision about charging,” he said.

The attorney general's office approved the appointment of Special Prosecutor Jim Rossiter.

Ayling did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement, the Traverse City Police Department said he remains on the job.