Cop Confusion In Western Springs Explained

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Early the morning of April 6, Western Springs received concerning calls from residents.

Shortly after 7:30 a.m., a caller informed dispatchers that an armed man in his 30s wearing a police uniform was walking back and forth, according to a call log.

The caller wanted to make sure the man was an actual officer. Police later learned Cook County sheriff's canine officers were training at Sereda and Spring Rock parks.

By Western Springs' account, the county missed one major detail – informing the village.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained documents detailing the incident.

In a text message later in the day April 6, Chief Brian Budds asked one of his officers whether he was aware of any tactical training by an outside agency.

The officer indicated what the training was for. But he said the sheriff's office failed to notify the local police. He said officers found out what was happening after receiving a report of a suspicious person with a holstered gun.

Budds responded he would follow up with the sheriff.

"They need to check in with us and park district in the future," the chief said. "Maybe they did with Parks, but they didn't with us. 'Training in progress' signs would be helpful, too.

In an email to village officials the next day, Budds said he confirmed the training involved the sheriff's office and a few "unnamed regional police agencies."

"They have done this same training in the past but always alerted our agency prior as a courtesy," Budds said. "I do empathize with the residents' concerns as we certainly would have alerted the schools, local residents, etc. via social media or door-to-door."

He asked Village Hall to post a statement on its Facebook pages about the situation. Such a message was posted later in the day.

Patch left messages for comment with the sheriff's office and local park district.