Watch: 3 Fox Lake cops in cellblock video suspended

Three Fox Lake police officers have been suspended for 10 to 30 days for their roles in a physical altercation with an intoxicated arrestee inside the police station cellblock, village officials announced Friday.

A video of the Dec. 5, 2014, altercation in the police station at 301 Route 59 shows veteran detective Jason Baldowski pushing, choking and shoving his hand in the face of Jeffrey Grzonka, 36, while other officers watch. It also shows officers slamming Grzonka into a metal cell door. Officials said Grzonka, who has a lengthy arrest record, had spit on officers during the confrontation and removed articles of clothing to cover up video cameras mounted in the cellblock. But the officials stressed during a news conference the officers' conduct violated department rules and regulations, including those governing use of force.

"I have personally apologized to him (Grzonka) on behalf of the village of Fox Lake," village administrator Anne Marrin said during a news conference.

Baldowski will serve a 16-day suspension for the altercation, Marrin said, while officer Shane Campion was given a 30-day suspension, and officer Eric Ewald will serve a 10-day suspension. The suspensions will be served in the coming months, during times that will not hamper police department operations, she said.

Marrin said the officers agreed to the punishment and the police union approved it. She said Baldowski also had been suspended for four days after the altercation last December.

A fourth officer has not accepted blame for his role in the altercation and has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending an ongoing investigation, Marrin said.

The conduct violations included willful mistreatment of others, conduct unbecoming, failure to report violation of rules, failure to make a report and bringing discredit to the Fox Lake Police Department.

"Today, we are holding officers accountable for their actions. Our residents rightfully expect that Fox Lake Police officers are treating members of the public with professionalism and respect at every turn. By and large, that happens day in and day out in Fox Lake," Marrin said in a news release. "However, whenever we become aware that officers may have violated our rules and regulations or have mistreated a citizen, it is our job to investigate it thoroughly, follow the truth and hold responsible parties fully accountable."

Officials also said an investigation determined former police Chief Michael Behan performed a "superficial review" of the case and didn't consider video evidence of a portion of the altercation.

Behan did not respond to phone calls seeking comment about the findings.

Mayor Donny Schmit, who did not attend the news conference, said in the news release, "As disappointing as this news is, I am proud that we have taken the proper steps to get at the facts so we can hold officers accountable and begin to move forward."

Grzonka was taken into custody the morning of Dec. 5, after officers responded to a call of a suspicious person in the area of the 0-100 block of Lilac Avenue. Grzonka, who was homeless at the time, was reported to be intoxicated and behaving erratically, officials said.

In the video, Baldowski points at the concrete bench in the cell before shoving down Grzonka. As Grzonka tries to stand up, Baldowski grabs him by the throat. The two wrestle for a moment before Baldowski grabs both of Grzonka's legs and flips him on his back.

After releasing the hold, Baldowski again shoves his hand into Grzonka's face, before pushing him and walking out of the cell while smiling. The video also shows Baldowski and another officer pulling Grzonka to another cell and slamming him into the metal door.

The video equipment does not include audio capability, officials said.

Officials said Grzonka turned down medical treatment after the altercation with Baldowski and did not want to press charges against any officers involved. The village has also agreed to a $4,000 settlement with Grzonka.

Marrin said she requested documents and video of the altercation in April after becoming aware it had occurred. But she did not launch a full investigation until Aug. 13, when she placed Baldowski and Behan on administrative leave. She said there was a delay because there was no documentation of the altercation at the jail.

After being placed on administrative leave, Behan retired Aug. 28.

Fox Lake officials said they have turned over the investigation to the Lake County state's attorney's office and FBI. Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said the investigation is being handled by the FBI.