Elgin police chief explains restrictions in discussing detective's DUI arrest

During her weekly radio show, Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley called the recent DUI arrest of one of her off-duty detectives a "serious matter," but she added that the department and public must let the legal process and outside investigation conclude before discussing further potential disciplinary action.

Detective Jessica Lori DeLeon was arrested Jan. 3 after a Kane County sheriff's deputy pulled her over for driving 57 mph in a 45 mph zone. DeLeon was charged with DUI after she refused to perform field sobriety tests.

The Elgin Police Department posted information about the arrest on Facebook shortly after the sheriff's office filed the official report. Lalley said on her show Friday that the Facebook post is part of the department's enhanced transparency efforts.

"Policing is a very different profession," she said. "There are some professions that if that were to happen to you, you would be back at work the next day, and no one would know."

Lalley said DeLeon has the same right to legal defense as anyone else.

"There are things that, as the chief of police, I expect in officers, but I also expect we treat people as humans," Lalley said. "I'm not going to expect things of my officers but in return (not) show them that same respect or that same graciousness. That doesn't mean I'm not disappointed. It's absolutely a serious thing. It's serious enough where that officer is on administrative leave. That is a big statement."

Lalley recognized there are members of the public who may not feel that's enough of a punishment or that simply recognizing the arrest of an officer isn't enough detail or transparency.

She referenced a city ordinance that turns over investigations of police officer conduct to an outside agency to avoid a conflict of interest. Because of that investigation, and the court process, Lalley said she cannot share more information or take additional action at this time.

"I think people get frustrated with the timeliness, but I have to be respectful of the process," Lalley said. "The officer is on administrative leave. This is where we're at right now."