Glenview Cops Accused of Perjury Still On Paid Leave

A pair of Glenview police officers accused of lying under oath in a Skokie court last year have collected about $250,000 salary while on paid leave as an investigation continues for more than a year.

Village Manager Todd Hileman has written a letter to Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez demanding action, according to an NBC-5-Chicago investigation.

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Cook County Judge Catherine Haberkorn declared the conduct of the two officers, and three from Chicago, during the case of drug suspect Joseph Sperling “outrageous.”

They appear to have lied when recounting in court that Sperling had stepped from his car after surrendering his license and volunteered information about a bag of marijuana. Squad car video shows officers handcuffing Sperling immediately after he was stopped, before the car was searched.

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The Chicago officers have also received a similar amount of money to be on desk duty.

Sperling sued and settled for $195,000 and the case against him was thrown out. The Glenview officers were put on paid leave while Alvarez investigates the matter. Thirteen months and an apparent obvious conclusion that the officers’ lied as seen on videotape hasn’t been enough for the investigation to be complete, though.

“We’ve played nice, but we really need an answer,” Hileman said. “No explanation has been provided to us about what has taken so long.”

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A spokesman for Alvarez said the office is trying to be thorough with the investigation. But until it is over, Hileman can neither return the pair to active duty nor dismiss them.

“This particular investigation has moved forward at a pace that has been necessary based upon the investigative work that has been required, and the additional evidence that has developed during the course of this probe,” according to the spokesperson.

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But NBC also reports an investigative team’s report has been in Alvarez’ hands since October.

“To date, despite repeated assurances that a decision will be forthcoming, we have not heard from you,” he wrote. “This places an unreasonable burden on the taxpayers of Glenview.”

more via NBC-5-Chicago