Elgin city manager responds to police union’s ‘vote of no confidence’ for chief of police

ELGIN — On Nov. 14, the Elgin Police Benevolent & Protective Association of Illinois Unit #54, which represents 150 sworn police officers within the City of Elgin, issued a press release regarding various issues they state the Elgin Police Department is facing.

According to the association, on Nov. 7, members completed a formal “Vote of No Confidence” which passed overwhelmingly and detailed the association’s lack of confidence in Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley and her command staff that include Deputy Chief Adam Schuessler, Commander Kevin Senne, Commander David Lesko, and Commander Steven Bianchi.

“The Elgin Police Benevolent & Protection Association Unit #54 has attempted to address issues of historically low morale, poor leadership, and mismanagement for numerous years but has been rebuffed,” stated the organization in a press release statement. “Chief Lalley has repeatedly refused to acknowledge Member’s complaints and concerns, instead blaming these concerns and issues on outside parties and responding that the reports of low morale involve only a small group of officers.”

The association further alleges that Lalley does not trust her subordinates and micromanages her front-line supervisors at every level. Additionally, they argue that Lalley routinely creates a “toxic work environment,” leading many officers to quit.

“Chief Lalley has created an environment in which subordinates and Members are routinely berated, discouraged from seeking Union representation, and blamed for any issues which negatively impact Chief Lalley personally,” stated the association.

In response to the association’s allegations, Elgin City Manager Richard Kozal issued a statement of his own, supporting Lalley.

“There is no substance supporting the baseless allegations made in PB&PA Unit 54’s statement,” said Kozal. “My support for Chief Lally, Deputy Chief Schuessler, and Commanders Senne, Lesko, and Bianchi in leading the Elgin Police Department is not diminished by the union’s self-interested action.”

Kozal added that Lalley accepted her position as chief of police four years ago fully understanding that she would face challenges in making decisions that recognize and properly balance the sometimes-competing needs of the community and the police department.

“During that time, Chief Lalley has remained a tireless supporter for Elgin’s police officers while also advocating for continual improvement in the progressive policing practices that have come to define the Elgin Police Department,” stated Kozal. “Chief Lalley and her leadership team will continue working with the police union in the same collaborative, non-adversarial manner she has been practicing from the start to ensure respectful and productive labor contract negotiations over the coming months.”

Despite the association’s disapproval of Lalley, they state that they will continue to provide the highest level of service to all citizens of the City of Elgin and its union members.