Crime & Safety

Three More Police Officers Get Their Jobs Back

The Naperville City Council gave the go-ahead Tuesday to rehire three more of the six officers who were laid off last year.

Three more officers will be making their way back to the , thanks to a 6-2 vote Tuesday evening by the city council.

The trio brings the tally to four call-backs so far of the . The first—and before Tuesday, the only—of the group who has returned to work was .

Councilman Richard Furstenau, who voted against calling back the first officer who was described as an “asset to the department,” also opposed Tuesday’s motion. Councilmen Grant Wehrli cast the second “no” vote.

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The layoffs were a cost-cutting move finalized . They included six of the department’s patrol division officers. A seventh vacant position was not filled.

Naperville Police Chief David Dial has worked during the past few months with City Manager Doug Krieger to find a way to rehire the officers. Department reorganization has so far been the answer.

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One police commander position was vacated by retirement, allowing the city to bring back the first—and most senior—officer.

The plan that allowed for the rehire of the other three cops Tuesday will save the city $320,000 each year by doing away with unfilled positions, city officials said.

“The proposed police department reorganization reduces the span of control and decreases overall personnel costs while maintaining an effective an appropriately staffed police department,” stated council documents.

Two officers have recently resigned to pursue other job opportunities, leaving the department with six sworn vacancies. It also had an unfilled civilian supervisor position, Krieger noted.

The council voted to eliminate the openings and add a deputy chief  Tuesday, just before approving the motion to rehire the officers.

“These personnel changes have provided the opportunity for the chief of police and city manager to review and revise the structure of the department,” documents said.

For more information about the controversial layoffs, see .


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