PEORIA

PEORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

:p~ (ji)
NovemberA 2012

Sergeant Douglas Theobald 600 SW Adams St. Peoria, II 61602

Re: Letter of Suspension

On July 8,2012, at approximately 1:42 A.M., Officer John Couve was driving his assigned Vice Unit take home vehicle and crashed the vehicle into a electrical utility box in the 8100 block of N. Hale and fled the scene. OfficerCouve is one of your subordinates as you are the Commander of the Special Investigations Division which includes the Vice Unit. An investigation of the crash was done bv on-duty personnel, including Sergeant Richard Glover. .

600 s. W. Adams Street Peoria,IL61602-1592 Phone 309.494.8300

The Illinois State Police conducted . . charges

an investigation

into the incident that led to felony Criminal Glover. to your involvement in the

against both Officer Couve and Sergeant

I find that your actions and inactions taken on 7/8/12 as it pertains investigation catastrophic department. . Conduct, conduct outcome of the series of events that resulted an officer which reads

of Officer Couve's City of Peoria vehicle crash were a major factor in the in bringing discredit to the VI. Rules of No officer shall engage in any or its officers, or I find you in violation of General order 100.06, Rules and Regulations,
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B. Conduct unbecoming

or activity on or off duty that reflects discredit upon the department in disrepute,

tends to bring this department As a result ofyourfailure potential wrongdoings information

or impairs its efficient and effective operation." on duty personnel of your knowledge of the brief

to notify appropriate

taking place at the scene of the investigation,

your failure to correct the and accurately General Order 100.06, and discipline,S. attempting to

briefed to you by Lt. Burke, and your failure to expeditiously the crash, I find that you violated for their actions without No officer shall engage VI. Rules of Conduct, c. accountability, responsibility,

Captain Scally on the facts surrounding Rules and regulations, Which reads conceal, influence,
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Officers shall accept responsibility

divert or mitigate their true culpability. or interfere

in efforts to thwart,

with an internal or criminal investigation." courtesy and professionalism toward your peer facts you knew

I find that you failed to show respect, lieutenants regarding and commanding the investigation

officer when you failed to notify Lt. King ofthe when briefed by Lieutenant manner surrounding the incident.

into the crash of Officer Couve's City of Peoria vehicle; when you Burke; and when you failed to you possessed order 1. among fellow employees, agencies, showing of the knowledge D. Conduct toward and other outside

failed to correct the information pertaining to the circumstances

notify Captain Scally in a timely and accurate

You are in violation of general

100.06, Rules and -Regulations, VI. Rules of Conduct, Which reads :: Officers shall conduct themselves members respect, ofthis courtesy department, and professionalism fellow city employees,

in a manner that will foster cooperation

in their dealings with one another." King, of your investigation,

You had the explicit responsibility knowledge of the potential along with the witness information

to notify the on duty shift cornmander.Lt. you possessed, into the crash.

criminal activity that was occurring at the scene ofthe

,
'. Therefore order 100.06, Rules and Regulations, responsibility, in the presence ofthe 2. The second paragraph which reads" I find that you violated general and

VI. Rules of Conduct, K. Off duty authority of whether

In a!1 cases where crimes are committed. or not the officer has taken any

off-duty officer, regardless

other action, it shall be the duty of the off-duty officer to immediately personnel officer. I also find that you extended assigned alcohol while in your presence. officer in your management your responsibilities residence. situation tacit approval This conduct to handle these situations and relay all pertinent information

contact

on-duty

to the responding

to Officer Linthicum to operate is below what is expected and department

his City of Peoria

vehicle for unofficial purposes

during which time Officer Linthicum had been drinking of a police command You neglected resources.

of of both employees

by not only failing to correct the behavior at the time but by participating
drive you from one tavern to another

in it by having Officer Linthicum That, combined

and then to your as you deliberately Department their duties by:" yourself from the

with your shirking of your command by attempting

obligations

went to great lengths to avoid responsibility involving the investigation performance. VII. Unsatisfactory of the department. vehicle, is unsatisfactory Regulations" and objectives Paragraph assignment,

to "divorce"

into the wreck of one of your subordinate's which reads "Officers shall perform performance established

I find that you violated General Order 100.06, Rules and of efficiency in carrying out the functions may be demonstrated for an officer's rank,

Performance, Unsatifactory

in a manner which will maintain the highest standard C. "Failure to conform to work standards or position." behavior, general

As a result of the cumulative 20l2, I find that you violated

your actions and failure to act on the morning order 100.04, Code of Ethics, as cited here: in obeying the law ofthe

of July 8,

I will keep my

private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency; I will be exemplary regulations of my department.; I will cooperate representatives On November present these Benevolent Department. You countered rank of Sergeant the condition proposal to me that in lieu oftermination and a 30 day su~pension. you would voluntarily take a demotion to the with in the pursuit of justice. 13, 2012 at 11 A.M. I conducted a pre-disciplinary review meeting with you. Also of land and the and their with all legally authorized agencies

were Captain Scally and Officer Troy Skaggs as a representative Association .. 1 informed my intention violations, was to terminate your employment

of the Peoria Police

you, during this meeting, that due to the seriousness with the Peoria Police

I told you that I would consider your proposal conditions and I decided to accept your

that you would forfeit your appeal/grievance You agreed with those demotion

rights and would return to work

with a positive attitude.

and uP.on your voluntary

I am issuing you this 30 day suspension.

Any similar violations in the future may result in further disciplinary action, including suspension and/or termination. This letter shall remain in your personnel file.

~:~===::-::::::::Police Chief

1/-2b-/'L
Employee Date

4~~ /-Witness CC: Human resources Director

Date

Uniformed Services Captain Lisa Snow PPBA Secretary Personnel File Professional Standards Hie mts