Excerpts from Herald-news.com: A member of the Crystal Lake City Council is raising concerns over a city policy that permits two firefighters, who have been charged with assault and battery, to continue working at the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department while their cases are still under review in court. The council member learned about the specific details of the incident through a news article and expressed disappointment upon discovering that the two firefighters were allowed to keep their jobs despite being under investigation. The situation has sparked debate over how the department handles disciplinary actions during ongoing legal proceedings. The two firefighters involved are Adam J. Fowles, 41, from Cary, and Timothy R. Kerley, 38, from Crystal Lake. They were arrested on May 11 for an off-duty incident that took place on March 15. Following an internal employment investigation, they were placed on administrative leave without pay. However, due to the terms of their union contract, they were permitted to work on non-duty days. Fowles faces charges of aggravated battery in a public place, while Kerley was charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. Both have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to appear in court this week. Interestingly, the charges against them were not filed until June, even though the incident occurred in March. According to Deputy Police Chief Thomas Kotlowski, this delay was due to a comprehensive investigation that included over 20 hours of video footage and interviews with multiple witnesses. Kotlowski emphasized that the complaint leading to the arrests was handled like any other. He also stated that his investigation did not find any evidence suggesting either individual posed a threat to public safety. Fire Chief Paul DeRaedt explained that the administrative leave policy prevents the firefighters from working their regular shifts, which results in nearly $900 in lost wages per shift. However, they can still take on overtime shifts, which pay 1.5 times their hourly rate of $37.35. DeRaedt noted that both firefighters have taken advantage of these overtime opportunities. He also mentioned that they are expected to return to full duty before the end of the week. Despite one of the charges involving an alleged act of battery against a woman, DeRaedt said the city’s investigation found no risk in allowing them to continue working. “We used many resources to evaluate the incident, including legal counsel,†DeRaedt said. “This was an isolated off-duty event, and based on our knowledge of the employees and what happened, we felt comfortable letting them work.†All City Council members were informed about the arrests and charges. The firefighters’ union contract outlines four main disciplinary actions: oral and written reprimands, unpaid suspension for up to 30 days, and discharge. However, it does not specify how long someone should be on administrative leave. DeRaedt said he evaluates each case individually, considering past disciplinary actions and the employee's history. He added that no further disciplinary action will be taken unless there is a criminal conviction, which could lead to termination if they no longer meet employment requirements, such as maintaining valid EMT and driver’s licenses. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, an individual convicted of a felony may still hold an EMT license if the department determines they do not pose a risk to patients. “If we waited for a criminal conviction before taking action, it would delay the process of addressing the behavior and correcting it,†DeRaedt said. “We want to handle rule violations as quickly as possible while still conducting a thorough investigation.†Ribbed V Belt For Ford C-Max Ii,V Belt Ribbed For Ford C-Max Ii,Automotive Ribbed V Belt Ford C-Max Ii,Ribbed V Belt For Ford Fiesta V ZHEJIANG AOSITE AUTO PARTS CO.,LTD , https://www.aositebelt.com