Oct. 19--A Greene County deputy has been put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation of a reported weekend altercation with Greenfield Police Chief John Goode.
The Greenfield City Council met in executive session during a special meeting Wednesday night at City Hall, but no action was taken, Mayor Charles "Chuck" Morrow said Thursday.
"It's still under police investigation, so there is nothing we can talk about at this time," Morrow said.
Reports of the police chief also being placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation are not accurate, Morrow said.
"(Goode) has a broken hand from the incident and right now he is out on sick leave until we find out the extent of his injuries," he said.
Greene County Sheriff Robert McMillen said he placed a deputy on leave Monday after receiving confirmation from Illinois State Police that it is investigating a complaint made to state officers.
McMillen also received "an official complaint from an individual containing allegations made against this deputy," he said.
McMillen said he is not disclosing the name of the deputy because the state police investigation is ongoing and his own department's internal investigation and review are still pending.
"The administrative leave is not a form of discipline, as it is way too early for me to determine if he was, in fact, involved in some type of improper activity," McMillen said. "This type of leave is common practice for police agencies to place its officers on when investigations are ongoing. It acts in a manner to protect the department and the officer during the course of the investigation."
McMillen said if any disciplinary action is warranted concerning the incident, he will handle it once he has all of the details, including a deposition of the complaint made to state police.
Capt. Scott Compton, commander of Illinois State Police District 18 in Litchfield, said Monday that his agency was investigating an altercation that occurred about 3 a.m. Saturday at the police chief's home. At that time, state investigators were still trying to determine who was involved and what occurred, Compton said.
It could be weeks before investigators conclude the investigation. The reports will be turned over to State's Attorney Matt Goetten for his review and determination of whether to file charges.
Copyright 2012 - Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Ill.
