Elburn cop suspended for firing warning shots

An Elburn police officer has been disciplined for firing his gun into the air while chasing a suspect, officials said Thursday.

The officer, who police would not identify, violated department rules by firing "three to four warning shots" on the 100 block of East North Street as the suspect tried to run away, according to a news release. Police said it happened about 9:35 p.m. Nov. 18 after a man suspected of trafficking drugs fled a meeting with undercover narcotics agents at the Elburn Metra station. The suspect was subsequently found by a local police officer, but broke free after a short struggle.

"In an attempt to halt the subject, the officer, using his duty weapon, fired three to four warning shots in the air," according to a news release. "The subject did not stop, and was not located after more than an hour of searching for him."

Elburn police said the shooting prompted an internal investigation, which found the officer violated a department policy prohibiting the firing of warning shots "under any circumstances." He was suspended from patrol duties for two days.

Police said the warning shot rule has been standard practice at the Elburn police department for at least four years, but the agency is updating its policy on the use of force to reflect this more clearly.