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Fox Lake police union backs village, police administration

Fox Lake police officers said they felt "sadness and extreme disappointment" by the actions of Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz but have hope for the future under changes made by the current village administration.

Bill Monsen, president of the Fox Lake Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 90, said the union's 19 members welcome and embrace the accountability being brought to the department by Village Administrator Anne Marrin, and they support efforts made by interim Police Chief Michael Keller and interim Deputy Chief Scott Kurek to clean up the department.

"The members of FOP Lodge 90 felt sadness and extreme disappointment after an investigation in which we participated uncovered the mishandling of the Fox Lake Police Explorers Post finances," Monsen said in a news release Tuesday. "Lt. Gliniewicz's actions are an insult to the integrity, honor and pride that each member of the Fox Lake Police Department brings to the job each and every day."

Marrin said she was honored with the vote of confidence.

"Moving forward, we will work together to make it a place of consistency and integrity," she said.

Lake County Major Crimes Task Force Cmdr. George Filenko said Gliniewicz killed himself Sept. 1 after he feared he would be caught embezzling funds from the Explorer post, where he served as adviser. Marrin had repeatedly pressed him for a complete inventory of the program.

Chris Covelli, the spokesman for the Lake County sheriff's office and the Fox Lake Police Department, said the letter signifies a new direction for the Fox Lake police.

"The letter the FOP issued (Tuesday) shows the police administration is working closely with the rank and file to continue in its mission to bring support to the officers on a daily basis," he said.

How investigators determined Gliniewicz killed himself

Investigators: Gliniewicz committed 'ultimate betrayal'

Personnel records show colleagues complained about Gliniewicz

Gliniewicz was never held accountable for actions, Fox Lake interim police chief says

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