Documents: Tensions high between Rolling Meadows police, former chief

Newly released documents from Rolling Meadows show that tensions between former police chief Dave Scanlan and his rank and file had risen at the same time Scanlan moved up his retirement by two months.

Scanlan, reached Friday, acknowledged that "some people were upset with me" at the time he retired, but added that was not why he chose to start his retirement early.

In January, the city announced Scanlan would retire May 16 after 34 years with the department.

On March 3, members of the Rolling Meadows Police Association met with City Manager Barry Krumstok to discuss what they described as concerns with Scanlan's behavior, according to documents obtained by the Daily Herald under the Freedom of Information Act.

What was said in the meeting is not known. After it was over, however, Krumstok sent an email to the police association, thanking them for bringing their concerns and allegations to him directly, and adding he was "reopening my investigation" into Scanlan.

Later that same day Scanlan sent a memo saying he was moving his retirement up to March 11.

And on March 7, Krumstok canceled his inquiry.

Rolling Meadows officials would not say why there was an initial inquiry into Scanlan, or how it turned out.

Also on March 7, Rolling Meadows police Sgt. John Sircher emailed members of the Rolling Meadows City Council on behalf of the police association, expressing gratitude for Krumstok's handling of their concerns and calling the last few months "the most trying in the RMPA's history."

The email also said police employees had told the union of "numerous allegations of misconduct, abusive behavior and highly insensitive comments" made by Scanlan.

Neither Sircher, Scanlan nor city officials would elaborate on the allegations.

However, Scanlan said tensions were high in his last few months on the job, but said it was in part because of ongoing contract negotiations.

"There were some significant issues there. I don't think the union liked the position I had taken," he said. He added there had been a lot of turnover within the department, with 15 new hires since 2011.

The former chief said he approached Krumstok in late 2015 about retiring in February 2016. Soon after the new year, however, Deputy Chief Mark Hogan announced he also would retire, so Scanlan decided to stay until May to make the transition easier.

Scanlan said that by March, however, the search for a new chief was well underway. Since he already had a three-week family vacation planned, he decided it was the right time to leave.

New Rolling Meadows Police Chief John Nowacki started on April 11.

Mayor Tom Rooney last week acknowledged "some controversial intra-staff comments that made some problems in the chief's last couple of months.

"But weighed against decades of service to Rolling Meadows, we wish him nothing but the best in his ... retirement," Rooney said.

Scanlan said overall, he had a productive tenure as chief.

"We did some really good things over the six years I was chief," he said, noting there has been a decrease in crime and gang incidents. He also mentioned several new methods of community outreach started during his tenure, such as community bike rides, the heroin second chance program and National Night Out.

"I was honored to be a part of the community and I really want the department to flourish going forward."