Kirkland police force's numbers dwindle amid accusations

KIRKLAND – In April 2017, the Kirkland Police Department roster boasted 26 officers, including 11 volunteer auxiliary officers.

As of this month, all but eight officers have left the department, including all but one of the auxiliary officers, half of the part-time officers, former Police Chief Paul Lindstrom, and the only other full-time officer, Anthony Miller, who charged the Kirkland village president with driving under the influence in 2012.

Former part-time officer Ed Lopez said the Kirkland Police Department has struggled with its reputation for years, and although things had improved in recent years, the way it was running by the time he resigned earlier this year was “embarrassing.”

“It’s too bad, because I’ve seen some good officers with good instincts go through the department, but they’re not being used properly now,” Lopez said.

Kirkland police chief

When Ryan Block was elected village president in April 2017, he selected full-time officer Adam Davenport as chief over Lindstrom and Miller.

Before joining the Kirkland Police Department in 2013, Davenport’s only law enforcement experience was being a part-time officer with the Rockford Park District Police Department, according to police transcripts. Of the six remaining sworn officers, four have at least 10 more years of law enforcement experience than Davenport.

Despite this, Block said he hired Davenport because of his supervisory background in other fields of work. Davenport was to be appointed during a May 1, 2017, board meeting, but a motion was made and passed to postpone the appointment until the June 5 meeting. However, Block did not even wait that long and appointed Davenport under a six-month probationary period two weeks later at the May 14 meeting.

During this probationary period, Davenport became the subject of an internal investigation of his conduct. According to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Daily Chronicle, the investigation involved former auxiliary officer Felicia Sandoz.

Former auxiliary officer Matthew Niezodzki said Sandoz did not always arrive at the department in uniform and sometimes showed up in yoga pants and a low-cut top. In one instance, he came back from a ride-along with Miller and discovered Sandoz wearing what he described as “Friday night date” apparel before abruptly leaving.

Davenport’s probation ended in December, but Block said this was extended another six months after he and Village Board members concluded they did not give Davenport enough guidance. The probation was ultimately lifted at the end of April and Davenport was reappointed in May.

A series of goals were set for Davenport, including removing what Block called a “cancer” from the department – which Block described as perceived negativity in the environment.

“At times, it was thought that communication and collaboration within the department was lacking, which led to some negativity,” Block said. “This goal’s objective was to collaborate and communicate more frequently with the officers and promote a positive work environment for the officers.”

Auxiliary officers

Some auxiliary officers, however, felt a sense of communication was just the thing that was lacking.

Auxiliary officer ride-alongs were first suspended in August, according to a text message sent to officers by auxiliary Cmdr. Brian Froelich.

“In response to several concerns that have been raised regarding officer safety and integrity, a detailed review of all policies and procedures related to the Kirkland Police Auxiliary Program is being conducted,” the text said. “Pending the outcome of that review by order of Chief Davenport, a temporary suspension of all auxiliary ride-along privileges will remain in effect until further notice.”

Although the suspension was lifted a few weeks later, according to Niezodzki, officers were once again notified of ride-along suspensions in November, shortly after the conclusion of Davenport’s misconduct investigation.

This time, a text message from Froelich said only that ride-alongs were suspended until further notice, and that the matter hopefully would be resolved in a timely manner.

Niezodzki said during these times of suspension, auxiliary officers also were not allowed to work during events, respond to car crashes or even enter the police department without authorization from the chief.

Block said the decision to review the auxiliary roster was prompted largely by village attorney Brad Stewart, who identified that the village’s code requires members to live within 20 miles of Kirkland. He added that it was determined that several officers did not meet the residency requirements.

Niezodzki said his address in Poplar Grove is within 20 miles of Kirkland, according to Google Maps, but he was still advised by Davenport that his removal would stand.

“At that point in time, I obviously knew I wasn’t part of [Davenport’s] agenda,” Niezodzki said.

The only two auxiliary officers who lived within Kirkland, Randy Butts and Ron Lieving, resigned.

Miller resignation

Anthony Miller, who has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, tendered his resignation Jan. 3, effective Jan. 31. According to Miller’s resignation agreement, he was paid out according to what he would be making on his regular schedule.

“Officer Miller had been the village’s longest-tenured officer, and the village agreed to honor his request to resign with the condition that he be available for a limited time, through Jan. 31, should the village need him in the weeks immediately following his resignation,” Block said. “Our understanding at the time is that he had another employment opportunity that he was pursing.”

Miller, however, said it was not his intention to leave. He is now working with the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office.

“I didn’t really want to leave the village. I knew and loved the people there,” he said. “I planned to retire there but, for some reason, the new chief and the new mayor pulled me in and gave me no choice but to leave.”

According to a sworn report written in November 2012, Miller observed a motorist, revealed to be Block, driving 38 mph in a 30-mph zone and over the center of the road. Once he was stopped, Block failed all three field sobriety tests and had to use his vehicle to support himself when he exited, according to the report.

“I was a dedicated officer, highly qualified, never been disciplined,” Miller said. “I was never given a reason other than they thought it was best that I leave.”

Block said he bore no ill feelings to Miller, and that after he was passed up for the police chief position, he felt the full-time officer was in need of a raise, which was approved in May.