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Chief puts Schaumburg cop on leave during gun investigation

A Schaumburg police officer who authorities said kept a revolver that a resident turned in to police has been placed on administrative leave as his conduct is investigated.

The officer was relieved of his duties April 26, when Schaumburg Police Chief Ken Bouche was notified of his improper handling of the .22 caliber revolver, police said.

On April 23, two people brought the gun to the police station because they wanted it disposed, according to a Schaumburg police news release.

Instead of properly recording the police department’s receipt of the weapon, the officer asked the residents to step outside, then offered to buy the gun, according to the release.

They declined to sell it, so the officer took the weapon and illegally retained it, authorities said.

The gun was recovered three days later, when Bouche began investigating and gathered enough credible information to place the officer on leave.

Schaumburg police said the Cook County state’s attorney’s office is reviewing the case.

Earlier this year, DuPage County authorities arrested three Schaumburg undercover police officers — Matthew Hudak, Terrance O’Brien and John Cichy — on charges they sold drugs they skimmed from seizures. The men resigned from the police department in January. All have pleaded not guilty and are free on bond.

Schaumburg police actions also have been under review by Illinois State Police, which has been investigating whether heroin linked to a teenager’s fatal drug overdose went missing after being turned over to the Schaumburg Police Department last year.

Police did not identify the officer on leave.

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