Elgin cop in hot water over cat caper

An Elgin police sergeant is on the hot seat and could face disciplinary action for releasing a cat out in the cold last week to fend for itself.

Police are not releasing the name of the officer under investigation, who remains on the street.

Police said an Elgin couple who had rescued the abandoned, 3-year-old cat from their doorstep Wednesday took her to the police station, hoping the department could secure a new home for her.

Elgin police currently have a contract to turn stray dogs in to the Golf Rose Animal Hospital in Schaumburg, which forwards them to adoption agencies. But there is no such arrangement for cats, said Deputy Police Chief Jeff Swoboda.

Yet, when someone brings a cat into the station, police are supposed to call area shelters to see if there is any room.

At the moment, it appears the officer, after receiving the cat from the couple, released it right back out into the elements, Swoboda said.

An officer found the cat at 4 a.m. the next morning near the station, Swoboda said.

Although Golf Rose doesn't normally accept cats from Elgin, it made an exception this time, said Catherine Howes, who is in charge of the animal hospital.

The shelter has fielded several requests from people who'd like to adopt the cat, and someone has even donated $100 toward her care.

On Monday, the healthy, declawed cat was in good spirits and has received most of her vaccinations, said Charles Bulson, an administrator at the animal hospital.

She should be ready for adoption on Friday, but because there is a backlog at the two adoption agencies the hospital uses, it could be a while before she finds a new home, Bulson said. She'll remain at the hospital in the interim, Bulson said.

"She's a very pretty cat, tough and big for a tortie," he said. "It's Christmas, go adopt a cat. We need your help."

Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation into the matter, and have already interviewed the couple, Swoboda said.

Police hope to determine whether the officer violated departmental policy, committed a crime in putting the cat out and whether he threatened to arrest the husband for bringing in the cat.

Probes typically take 30 days and the penalty rendered depends on the officer's previous discipline history, his or her work record and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Punishments range from an oral reprimand to termination, Swoboda said.