Officials: Elgin police investigating community service officer

Elgin police are conducting a criminal investigation involving a community service officer, officials said Wednesday.

The individual under investigation is not a sworn police officer but a civilian employee involved with one of the department's community-based programs, Deputy Chief Bill Wolf said.

The Daily Herald submitted a Freedom of Information Act request about two weeks ago asking for records about any ongoing investigation involving the officer, along with the officer's disciplinary record.

Police on Wednesday released the officer's record - which shows no significant discipline - but did not provide information regarding the investigation.

Elgin's legal department cited several FOIA exemptions for the denial, including releasing information "which would obstruct an ongoing criminal investigation" and "to the extent that disclosure would create a substantial likelihood that a person will be deprived of a fair trial or an impartial hearing."

The Daily Herald is not naming the officer because it's unclear why the officer is under investigation and whether the officer has committed a crime.

Wolf declined to say which community-based program the officer is involved with, adding the department will release the results of the investigation when it is wrapped up - likely in four to six weeks, he said.

Community-based police programs in Elgin include the Police Explorers, the Citizens Police Academy, the Community Emergency Response Team and others.