Nick Crowley Won't Be Booted Off Joliet's Police Force Anytime Soon

JOLIET, IL - Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton wants people to know that the patrol officer who was arrested on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and domestic violence against his girlfriend will no longer be out patrolling the streets of Joliet. But the long-term city employment status for Nick Crowley remains unclear. The four-year Joliet officer has been put on indefinite paid suspension in light of being charged this week in Will County Circuit Court with two felonies and three misdemeanors.

Crowley, who turns 37 in August, apparently went berserk on Sunday at the Joliet townhouse he shared with his girlfriend, who is also a fellow police officer. Crowley is accused of grabbing a handgun during the incident and firing ammunition into the ceiling. He is also accused of striking the off-duty female officer in the head.

At the Will County Courthouse, Crowley faces two felony counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, two misdemeanor charges of domestic battery and a third misdemeanor accuses him of criminal damage to property. Last year, Crowley made about $96,000 as a Joliet patrol officer.

After being booked into the jail on Monday afternoon, Crowley posted 10 percent of his $50,000 bond a couple hours later. He has turned in his police weapons and has been ordered by a Will County judge not to possess any handguns whatsoever while his criminal case is pending. Furthermore, the court ordered Crowley to stay off the premises of the dwelling where Sunday's incident unfolded, the 3700 block of Mustang Drive. He is also restricted by the judge from having any contact with the woman he is accused of harming.

Crowley's next court appearance is set for Aug. 11. He has hired a private defense lawyer to handle his criminal proceedings.

"Because of the fact that there are two officers, it's an unfortunate situation for us all," Benton said. "This is unique, especially to have two officers involved. Our goal is to make sure that the public is confident that we will investigate it appropriately and take action based on the results of both the criminal and administrative findings."

Benton said that Crowley was arrested by fellow Joliet officers.

"We acted swiftly in arresting the officer involved," Benton said Tuesday.

Ordinarily, Joliet's Police Department aims to wrap up an internal affairs probe in 60 days or less, Benton said. However, cases of an officer charged in the judicial system can take longer to resolve, he explained.

At this point, it's too early to offer a timetable as to when Joliet may initiate measures to get rid of Crowley.

"That will depend on the administrative and criminal cases that are pending," Benton said. "Right now, he remains on paid administrative leave with no police powers."

Based on the employment conditions outlined in the police union contract, Joliet typically can't fire an officer on the spot. City police are not at-will employees like most people who have jobs in the private sector. On top of that, Illinois has adopted a police officer's bill of rights that local municipalities must take into account.

"They are entitled to certain protections," Benton said. "Sometimes (people) are confused and they wonder why (you) cannot act more quickly on the discipline side. But there are contract obligations."

Mugshot of Nick Crowley via Will County Sheriff's Department