Lincolnshire cops' chatter caught on squad car recording

Lincolnshire's police chief says a motorist's complaint about poor treatment during a traffic stop will be incorporated into training for how officers must strive for professionalism on the job at all times.

Steven Brenner of Buffalo Grove appeared at Monday night's village board meeting to address his encounter with Lincolnshire police when he was stopped for speeding on Route 22 near the Tri-State Tollway about 8:40 p.m. Dec. 13.

“There's a real problem here in Lincolnshire,” said Brenner, 50.

Police Chief Peter Kinsey said Tuesday he reviewed with Brenner the video and audio of the stop in question. Kinsey said he intends to use the recording of the incident to stress the need for police professionalism at all times and plans to address the issue during roll calls.

Kinsey said he objected to how the officer who pulled over Brenner initially stated he was issuing a speeding ticket, but then wrote a second moving violation for improperly yielding to the left for an emergency vehicle.

After meeting with Brenner, Kinsey said the ticket for the improper yield should not have been written and agreed to not have it prosecuted. Kinsey said the two officers on the scene didn't do anything illegal and weren't disciplined.

The Dec. 13 squad car recording obtained by the Daily Herald shows the officer who stopped Brenner began the encounter by saying “good evening” and informed him he was speeding.

Brenner responded that he was in his son's car and needed to exit to retrieve an insurance card and his driver's license, and cited a neck brace he was wearing that limited his range of motion.

As Brenner placed a hand in his pants pocket, the officer said the move made him “nervous”. After he was abruptly directed back into his car, Brenner questioned the officer's attitude.

“You're the police officer, OK?” Brenner said on the recording. “You should treat people with respect.”

Not long after returning to the squad, the officer received a radio call from a dispatcher.

“I think your guy just called and left a voice mail for the chief,” the dispatcher said on the recording.

Replied the cop: “He's getting quite a few tickets. He's got a real attitude.”

Another Lincolnshire officer arrived on the scene and joined his colleague. He's heard talking about drivers he perceives as difficult.

“When people argue and give me attitude,” the second cop said, “I let my hand do the talking with the pen. You know?”

Both men were in the squad car when the officer who stopped Brenner said he would just give him the tickets without explanation and leave. The two officers went to Brenner's car, then were heard laughing as they returned to the squad.

Kinsey said officers always should be accurate in their communications with the public.

In addition, Kinsey said, the officer was wrong to hand the two tickets to Brenner without explaining options such as how a driver may contest a moving violation in court or post a cash bond.

“He made an assumption he was going to get in an argument when he gave (Brenner) the tickets and he walked away,” Kinsey said of the officer.

Considering the squad car microphone is live during a traffic stop, Kinsey said, the officers should have known better than to be heard on the recording talking about Brenner or having a desire to ticket certain drivers.

“That's obviously not very professional,” Kinsey said.

Brenner complimented Kinsey's handling of his complaint and called him “a nice guy.” Officials said they found Brenner's speeding ticket was properly issued.