Dec. 03--Mount Prospect police are seeking to fire a three-time Officer of the Year after he admitted to resisting arrest -- a plea he is now trying to take back.
Police Chief Tim Janowick said he had no choice but to seek the discharge of Sgt. Anthony Lietzow after he was convicted of misdemeanor resisting arrest stemming from a domestic dispute at his home in Huntley in July. The chief said the situation has been difficult for all involved.
Lietzow "was a very tenacious officer," Janowick said. "He was very good at investigating crimes and finding the right people to be arrested."
But, the chief added, "This doesn't put our agency in a good light when we have conduct like this."
The village's Board of Fire and Police Commissioners has final say over Lietzow's job but is putting off a decision until a judge rules on Lietzow's criminal case.
The case again Lietzow arose when local police were called to his home for a reported domestic disturbance, in which a family member alleged that Lietzow tried to harm her physically, authorities said. When police tried to handcuff Lietzow, he resisted arrest, prosecutors said.
Lietzow was charged in McHenry County with felony aggravated battery of a police officer and aggravated domestic battery, as well as misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and resisting a peace officer.
He pleaded guilty in October to the resisting charge and, in exchange, the other charges were dropped, court records show.
Judge Michael Feetterer placed Lietzow on one year conditional discharge, ordered he undergo treatment for alcohol consumption, and fined him about $2,300.
By state law, police officers are prohibited from serving if they have a felony conviction or certain misdemeanor convictions, including resisting a peace officer. As a result, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board decertified Lietzow, making him ineligible to work, Janowick said.
Lietzow was initially placed on paid leave, using accrued sick and vacation time, but since he was decertified in early November, he has been on unpaid leave.
He and his attorneys were not immediately available for comment. But last month, court records show, his attorneys filed a petition to vacate his plea, and instead go to trial.
McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Michael Combs said prosecutors would oppose the withdrawal of the plea, arguing that the officer knew or should have known the consequences.
rmccoppin@tribpub.com
