Ex-Western Springs Cop Under Investigation: Records

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Weeks before retiring, Western Springs Deputy Police Chief Daniel Albrecht was suspended while he was under some type of investigation, according to village documents.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained an April 12 memo from Police Chief Brian Budds to Albrecht, informing him that he was being placed on administrative leave.

The leave was effective immediately. Albrecht was ordered to surrender his guns, his law enforcement credentials, phone, badges, laptop and village vehicle.

Albrecht's access to the village's computer system was also cut off, Budds said in the memo.

Albrecht was required to provide a phone number where he could be reached for meetings related to "ongoing investigations."

He was ordered to stay off village property without the chief's express written permission. He also was told to refrain from any conversations that could be construed as interfering with an investigation.

The village blacked out a portion of the memo that apparently indicated the nature of the investigation.

Patch asked for warrants related to any investigation into Albrecht, but the village said no such documents exist.

Patch also sought any documents showing that a law enforcement agency obtained items from Albrecht's village vehicle this year.

In response, the village said it would withhold such records. It cited the exemption under the state's open records law that allows secrecy when the release of documents could interfere with an investigation.

According to village records, Albrecht turned in his resignation letter, effective immediately, on May 1. In the three-sentence message, he said his resignation followed a conversation with Budds.

Albrecht is suffering from cancer. A GoFundMe page was set up a couple of weeks ago, raising more than $10,000 so far.

Albrecht joined the police department 22 years ago. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2017.

News of Albrecht's departure was apparently slow in reaching the Village Board.

At its May 9 meeting, Trustee Scott Lewis, who heads the public safety committee, said the board learned of the news earlier that day. The meeting was eight days after Albrecht's resignation.

Earlier in the day May 9, Patch contacted Village Hall about Albrecht's status. In an email, a village spokeswoman confirmed Albrecht retired May 1 and that the village planned to release a statement soon. It did so hours after Patch's inquiry.

The spokeswoman, Selmin Cicek, has declined to comment on Albrecht, saying the village does not discuss personnel issues.

Budds has not returned a call for comment.

Albrecht declined to comment Monday.

In a May 13 message to Patch, Albrecht said, "I have been battling cancer since 2020, and it is progressing. I wasn't looking for a story or any sendoff."

In its news release, the village listed Albrecht's positions with the police department. Then the release stated, "The Village congratulates him on his retirement and wishes him well."

Editor's Note: Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.