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To: From: Date: Re:

Ptl. Jared DeGroo,ry Chief Cook ~ July 9, 2008 Policy Violation

Ptl. DeGroot, It has been brought to my attention again that you were absent from a scheduled court appearance on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 2pm. You received written notification from Tami Alexander, City Attorney's Office on June 16, 2008 as well as an e-mail from Captain Poole on June 19, 2008 that a special bench trail was to be held in council chambers to hear the case The communications from the City Attorney's Office as wen as Captain Poole were specific as to the date and time. Your . failure to report for court at the appropriate time is a direct violation of General Order 14.3.1, Unauthorized Use of Time. This is the third violation of this policy you have committed. It is your responsibility to adhere to the notices issued by the City Attorney's office and make every effort to be present. If a conflict should arise, it is your responsibility to contact the City Attorney' s office and make other arrangements.
In this case failing to appear for court at the appropriate time resulted in a finding of UNot Guilty" in this case. Whether it is Municipal Court or Circuit Court you must make every effort to appear at the appropriate date and time. I view this infraction as very serious and expect that it will never occur again.

Your second violation of this policy resulted in a (1) day (8 hours) suspension without pay, because this is your third violation ofG.O. 14.3.1 I am suspending you without pay for a period of one (1) day (12 hours). Please consult with Lt. Coultas as to the appropriate date this suspension will occur.
In addition you are directed to report to Captain Poole regarding your performance.

Should you wish to discuss this matter, please contact me.

Cc: Mayor Tendick City Attorney Beard Charles Heitbrink: Chairman Fire and Police Commission Captain Poole Lt. Coultas Sgt Sean Walker DeGrootPIF

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INTEROFFICE

MEMORANDUM

TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE:

CHIEF DON COOK CAPTAINSTEVE POOLE POLICY VIOLATION JUNE 30, 2008

PtL Jared Degroot was scheduled for fi Municipal Adjudication hearing on Friday, June 27, 2008 at ~, but failed to appear on time. The hearing was conducted and the defendant, _ _ was found "Not Guilty" on a charge of Public Intoxication due to a lack of evidence as the result of no complaining witness. PtL Degroot arrived at approximately 2:15 p.m. after the hearing had concluded. Afterward, PtI. Degroot came to my office and stated during a previous conversation with City Attorney Tim Rupple, Atty. Ruppel told Pd. Degroot the hearing was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Pd. Degroot stated he had written the time in his personal planner. Pd. Degroot pointed out that he appeared die day before for a hearing at 2:30pm, which is the normal time for trials. Today's hearing was a special setting at 2:00 p.m. I called Attorney Ruppel and spoke to him about his communication with Pd. Degroot prior to to day's hearing. Attorney Ruppel stated that while possible, he does not recall speaking to Ptl.. Degroot in advance about this case and nor telling him the trial was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Attorney Ruppel further stated he would not say a conversation didn't take place, but just doesn't .remember it. Attorney Ruppel pointed out that Pd. Degroot received written notice of the trial scheduled for 2:00 p.m.. . I personally placed the notice of the hearing in Ptl. Degroot's mailbox as well as sent him an email advising him of the hearing and the 2:00 p.m. time. If, in fact, Ptl. Degroot was told by Attorney Rupple the case was scheduled for-2:30 p.m., but had received multiple notices of the 2:00 p.m. setting, Pd. Degroot should have taken the initiative and responsibility to ascertain the correct time. He did not do so.
Pd. Degroot completed his timesheet in advance made an overtime entry for court on this date at

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Attached are the following; Memo dated June 16,2008 from Tami Alexander to Ptl. Degroot giving notice of the trial. Email dated June 20, 2008 from Capt Poole to Pt1. Degroot Email Receipt for June 20, 2008 email Municipal Court Docket for June 27, 2008 Municipal Court Finding, Decision, and Order Ptl. Degroot timesheet for June 27, 2008 Copy of offense report April 28, 2004 Suspension Letter March 24, 2004 Letter of Reprimand

Ptl. Degroot has a history of this policy violation. Pd. Degroot received a Letter of Reprimand on March 24,2004 for Unauthorized Use of Time for failing to appear in court on March 22, 2004. On April 28, 2004, you suspended Ptl. Degroot for a period of one day for Unauthorized Use of Time for failing to appear in Court on April 20, 2004. I recommend Ptl: Degroot be suspended without pay for a period of two days ..

To: . From: Date: Re:

.. Ptl. Jarod DeGroot ,Apri128

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Policy Violation

Ptl. DeGroot, , It has been brought to my attention again .that you were absent from a' scheduled court appearance on Tuesday April 20, 2004 at 10:00 am. Your failure to report for court at the' appropriate time is a direct violation' of , General Order 14.3.1, Unauthorized Use of Time. This is the second, violation within one month. '" It is your responsibility to adhere to the summons issued by the States,' , . Attorney office and make every effort to be present If a conflict should ' arise, it is YOM r.esponsibilitv to contact the ~A's office and make' other arrangements. Failing to appear for court is a serious infraction and quite possibly could have jeopardized a case. Iview this infraction as very serious and expect that it will never occur again. As Iwarned in my previous letter, "future infractions of this kind would result in more serious discipline", Because this is your second violation of G.O. 14.3.1 I am suspending you without pay for a period of one (1) day. Please consult with, Lt. Willner as to the appropriate date this suspension Will occur. ' . . -:: ~.... In-addition you are directed to report to ,Captain Poole regarding your '.. perform?D.ce., " ,. ," , 'Should you wish to discuss this matter, please 'contact me.
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Cc: Mayor Tendick City Attorney Beard Captain Poole , Lt. Willner DeGrootPIF

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To: , From:
Date: Re:

Ptl. Jarod Deflroot ,

... Chief Cook

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March 24, 2004 Letter of Reprimand

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First I would, like to compliment you for the excellent work yotihave done' as member of this department. Your professionalism in dealing with the public and your.dedication to the department. is to be commended. ',,''.' , . " ,',: ' However" 'it has been brought to my attention that you were absent from a scheduled court appear~ce on Monday March 22, 2004 at 1: 15 pm. Your failure to report for ~courtat the appropriate time is a direct violation of General Order 14.3.1, Unauthorized Use' of Time. It is your responsibility to adhere to the summons issued by the States Attorney office and make every effort to be present. If a conflict should arise, it is your responsibility to contact the SA~,soffice and make other arrangements. Failing-to appear.for court is aserious-infraction and quite possibly.could ..:,:,",.':,:<: .r . " pave jeopardized.a case. I view this infraction as very serious and, expect that .... " .' ... it will never occur.again. '," "
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'This 'letter of reprimand will become-part of your personnel file, Future', violations of this policy will result in more severe discipline,
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Should you wish to discuss this matter, please contact me,

, Cc: Captain Poole Lt. Willner , 1~:BeGroot PIF .

Jacksonville Police Department

200 W. Douglas Jacksonville, IL 62650 (217) 479-4630

On Tuesday, July 15,2008 at 2:30pm there was a meeting at the Jacksonville Police Department to discuss several issues that had come up concerning Ptl. Jared Degroot. Those present at this meeting were Capt. Steve Poole, Sgt. Sean Walker, Ptl. Jared Degroot, FOP Representative Jerry Lieb and Myself. Capt. Poole started the meeting by addressing the issue ofPtl. Degroot missing a scheduled court appearance on June 27,2008. This is the third time that Degroot has missed court since coming on the department and he was given a 12 hour suspension without pay from Chief Cook for this violation. Degroot was given the opportunity to explain his side of the situation and stated that he had contacted attomey Tim Ruppel and was advised by Ruppel that the court time was at 2:30pm. All of the other correspondence that Degroot had received from the City Attorneys' office and from Capt. Poole had the court time as being 2:00pm. When Degroot arrived at court at 2: 1Spm his case had already been called and dismissed. Degroot stated he re-contacted Ruppel who stated he remembered talking with Degroot but could not say for sure what time he told him to be at court. Degroot was advised by Capt. Poole it was his responsibility to call and check to find out the correct time to be at court so that this type of incident did not occur. After finishing the discussion about the missed court Capt. Poole explained to Degroot that 4 ~ hams camp time would be removed from his Camp bank due to his not being at court at the proper time. His late arrival did not guarantee his receipt of the time since he was not able to meet his requirements as a police officer for the city. Degroot did not agree with this but after speaking with Lieb they decided that they would speak in private after the meeting to determine what actions they may take. The meeting then turned to some of the aggressive actions that have been noted by Sgt. Walker from Degroot that have resulted in numerous Resisting a Peace Officer arrests. Degroot was asked ifhe is having trouble keeping things from becoming personal for him while performing his duties as a police officer. Degroot admitted that he had spoken to Walker and told him that he is feeling "burnt out" on the department. When asked what is making him feel that way Degroot responded with "when you keep getting complaints filed against you for doing your job it gets to you", Walker gave an example of a situation . of an intoxicated person that was verbally abusive towards Degroot who ended up being arrested by Degroot for his actions. Several minutes were spent explaining that you cannot let the job become personal for you and you need to keep your actions professional. Degroot denied having any anger issues and stated that he never lets other peoples words get to him. Other examples were brought to his attention including some statistics from previous months where Degroot had an extremely high number of resisting arrest charges. Degroot adrriitted that it was odd for him to have such a difference in offenses but he felt it was just a fluke.

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The final subject that was covered with Degroot was his interest in Martial Arts fighting. Capt. Poole explained to Degroot that it is well known and documented from statements that Degroot himself has made that he is more interested in his training than his job in law enforcement. Degroot stated that his training is his passion and he does spend most of his free time training. Capt. Poole told Degroot that he needed to turn his passion for Martial Arts around into a passion for his job here with the city and most of his problems would correct themselves. Degroot was told to take the philosophy from his training of compassion and defense and use those to his advantage and not follow the path of being on the offensive all of the time. If he would use those tools he should be able to have a better impact with the community. It was explained to Degroot that the public has a very different opinion of how we should do our job compared to the actual way we must do it. When asked if he cursed while on the job Degroot stated he had cursed but he denied ever using any curse word towards anyone while on a call. At 3:30pm the meeting ended. I spoke with Capt. Poole and stated that I am going to meet with Degroot on Wednesday, July 23,2008 and discuss my concern with him in private about his feeling burnt out. In my meeting with Degroot I will explain to him the services that are available to him throug]; and the steps he can take to get assistance.

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Lt. Brian Coultas