Joliet Cop Facing Firing Had Trouble At Double J In 2015

JOLIET, IL - A police officer who is contesting the city's decision to fire him was given a two-week unpaid suspension for violating the Joliet Police Department's code of conduct in 2015, Joliet Patch has found. Patch obtained access to the prior disciplinary case taken against Officer Brian Nagra, who was reassigned to desk duty in September while an internal affairs probe was underway.

Earlier this month, Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner decided to fire Nagra, who is appealing the chief's decision.

Joliet Patch was the first news outlet to report that Nagra's removal from the police force surrounds allegations of falsified paperwork concerning overtime pay. In 2018, city of Joliet payroll records show that Officer Nagra made $128,238. His annual compensation during the previous three years, 2015-2017, averaged about $126,667.

If the allegations of inflated overtime pay are true, Nagra may have made several thousand dollars more than what he deserved, at the expense of the city taxpayers. He has not been charged with any criminal activity in connection with his dismissal from the city of Joliet.

Back on May 22, 2015, Nagra "entered into a settlement to receive a ten workday suspension without pay," according to an internal affairs memo submitted by then-Police Chief Brian Benton.

"An investigation was conducted concerning your alleged actions while off-duty at Double J Sports Bar you grabbed a patron by the arm as he was walking towards the front door," the memo authored by former chief Benton states.

"When the patron pulled away from your grasp and walked outside to a waiting taxi, you kicked and pushed the taxi door causing it to strike the patron," Chief Benton advised Nagra in the May 2015 letter of discipline.

"When officers arrived to investigate a battery, you told the officer that you had no knowledge of the incident. The complaint was found to be partially sustained."

In 2015, Benton determined that Nagra violated two sections of their department's code of conduct including the section that declared: "Conduct unbecoming of Department members shall not be tolerated. This shall include any conduct which adversely affects the morale, operations or efficiency of the department or any conduct which has a tendency to ... lower or destroy public respect and confidence in the department or any department member."

Back in late May 2015, Chief Benton informed Patrol Officer Nagra that "It is important that you clearly understand that future violations of any nature may result in more severe discipline up to and including a recommendation for your termination as a Joliet Police Officer."

As part of the Freedom of Information Act request, Patch also sought records concerning Nagra's employment history in the Joliet Police Department. The police department responded that Nagra was hired as a police officer on June 17, 1999. He has never been promoted.

The pronouncement of Nagra's 10-workday unpaid suspension in May 2015 came the same month that he and other members of the department were honored by state of Illinois lawmakers for a unit merit award, additional documents obtained by Patch through the Freedom of Information Act show.

Because Nagra is contesting his firing, he is allowed to continue to collect his regular paycheck he while the appeal of his termination goes before the Joliet Police and Fire Board at a later date.

The five-member panel consists of local residents appointed by Mayor Bob O'Dekirk and confirmed by the City Council.

The city has not set a date for the hearing of Nagra's termination appeal.

RELATED: 2 Joliet Police Officers Face Unrelated Terminations

File image via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor