Fort Dodge police have offered an explanation as to what happened on July 3 at the Biltwell Apartments when officers reportedly left broken glass on the roof of the building.

Derek Wallen, the owner of the Biltwell Apartments, addressed the City Council on Monday saying, “Police officers broke beer bottles on the roof — on my rubber roof.”

According to Capt. Ryan Gruenberg, of the Fort Dodge Police Department, officers were dispatched to the apartments, 106 N. 10th St., that day at about 10:25 p.m. about complaints that invididuals were on the roof of the building, lighting off fireworks at vehicles and people on the ground.

Once officers arrived, they did not locate any suspects on the roof, but did recover fireworks and alcohol that had been left behind, Gruenberg reported.

He said officers seized the fireworks. The remaining alcohol was disposed of.

Later that night, a complaint was issued that officers left broken glass on the roof of the Biltwell.

Gruenberg said there was concern that it was done intentionally.

According to Gruenberg, officers returned that same night to speak with Wallen. The broken glass was cleaned up at that time.

“As with any complaint, we are looking into them to ensure that the appropriate service was provided by our officers,” Gruenberg said. “While it is not uncommon for officers to dispose of alcohol that has either been seized or abandoned, it is certainly not the expectation to do so in a manner that leaves glass or other debris for citizens to contend with.”

Gruenberg said the Police Department is continuing to assess concerns Wallen presented.

“Any inappropriate actions by our officers will be addressed immediately,” he said.

Police Chief Roger Porter reported on Thursday that he met with Wallen for about an hour to discuss complaints he brought to the city’s attention at this past Monday’s City Council meeting.