Will We Learn Officers' Names?

Last Thursday, Patch that a number of officers had been arrested in Peoria on charges of battery, after an alleged fight outside a strip club. As of Monday, neither the Channahon Police Department nor the Bolingbrook Police Department had released the names of the officers.

"Because of the nature of the work, in some instances we were concerned with the safety," Channahon Chief Joe Pena said. "Some people recognize names."

But that might change.

"The executive board of the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad (MANS) will be meeting [Tuesday] morning," Pena said. "It's a regularly scheduled meeting."

The group is likely to discuss whether to release officer's names.

Bolingbrook Police Lt. Michael Rompa said the department is working with the arresting agency.

"We are working in conjunction with the Peoria Police Department in regards to this case," he said.

The officers were in training in Peoria as members of the narcotics unit and were attending a conference. The cost of that conference was not funded by the village.

"None of the training was footed by the village of Channahon," Pena said. "There were no costs to the village of Channahon for that training. We pay his salary because he's in training. We did not pay for the training or hotel room or amenities."

The officer arrested on charges of battery remains on the job.

"He's still working," Pena said. "We have said all along we are going to be accountable for what had occurred but we're going to do it fairly and equitably for all who are concerned."

The incident remains under an internal investigation within the Bolingbrook Police Department, as this is a personnel issue, Rompa said.