Disciplinary hearing set for Des Plaines officers

The Des Plaines fire and police commission will conduct a disciplinary hearing Monday for one of two police officers the city wants to fire.

Acting City Manager Jason Slowinski would not comment on the administrative charges brought against the officers other than to say they will be made public at the hearing, which begins at 9 a.m. in Room 102 of City Hall, 1420 Miner St.

The two patrol officers — John Bueno and Andy Contreras — were placed on administrative leave months ago as the city held an investigation into the conduct of one officer.

Charges were filed with the city's board of fire and police commissioners in February following the investigation, which was launched after the city manager's office received information last fall regarding the conduct of a patrol officer.

Per the city's collective bargaining agreement with the patrol officers' union — Metropolitan Alliance of Police Chapter 240 — the officers had the option of dealing with the charges through grievance arbitration instead of a public hearing.

Richard Reimer, a Hinsdale-based attorney for the police union representing Bueno, said Thursday his client has opted to go through a neutral third-party arbitrator and will not appear for Monday's hearing.

“Officer Bueno has elected to exercise his right to arbitration,” he said. “After hearing all the evidence, I believe that an arbitrator will choose not to terminate Officer Bueno's employment.”

Contreras has elected to go before the fire and police commission, Reimer added. His hearing likely will conclude before the arbitration process is resolved.

“It could take a couple of months before (arbitration) happens,” he said.

The attorney for Contreras could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The fire and police commission has three members: Chairman Arthur Lukowicz; former mayor and police officer Mike Albrecht; and attorney Debra Lester.