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Tinley Park residents and union praise officers; spouse disputes earlier account of on-the-job injury
Summary
At the Sept. 2 Village of Tinley Park board meeting, a resident identified as the spouse of a police officer disputed remarks made at a prior meeting about her husband’s injuries, while a union representative and trustees offered public praise for department members and discussed comp-time concerns.
At the Sept. 2 Village of Tinley Park Board of Trustees meeting, a resident who identified herself as the spouse of a Tinley Park police officer disputed remarks made at the board's Aug. 19 meeting about the extent of her husband's injuries and described his recovery timeline in detail. The board also heard a public commendation from a union representative for a sergeant in the department, and trustees used the public-comment period to reiterate support for officers while clarifying positions on comp time and public-safety priorities.
The resident said the officer sustained “significant injuries to both of his thumbs” while responding to a domestic-violence call and was out of work for three and a half months, followed by outpatient occupational therapy and a week-long work-conditioning program. “The first month, he was unable to perform basic everyday tasks, such as put on his socks, squeeze a tube of toothpaste, button up his shirt or pants, or hold his coffee mug,” she said. She also said he sought additional pain management, including acupuncture, and that it took about nine months from the initial injury before he experienced full pain relief. The speaker said records of calls and emails with human resources would corroborate her account.
That speaker criticized how the incident was portrayed at the Aug. 19 board meeting and urged “respect, honesty, support, and loyalty” for officers and their families. “These are honorable men and women who do their best to keep our village safe,” she said.
Raymond Vialetto, representing the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, addressed the board on behalf of the Tinley Park Police Department detectives. He praised Sergeant Sam Dejani for leadership, mentorship and work on investigative cases, saying the sergeant “has consistently demonstrated that he is a leader and a teammate” and that under his leadership the unit “has grown stronger, more cohesive, and more effective.”
Trustee John Mahoney (reported during the meeting as Trustee Mahoney) said public safety is a top priority and clarified his position on comp time. “One of the first priorities is public safety,” he said; he added that comp time is neutral to him unless it jeopardizes public safety, readiness or prudent use of public funds.
Other trustees and speakers also offered public support for the department during board comments. The board did not take policy action on staffing or comp-time changes at the Sept. 2 meeting; the public comments and trustee remarks were entered into the record.
The exchange during public comment followed a board vote earlier in the meeting to move the public-comment period into the agenda (the motion to move public comment passed on a roll call). The board recorded no formal personnel or disciplinary actions during the public-comment period on Sept. 2.
Board members and village staff said they would note the speaker’s concerns and keep communication open with department personnel. The public-comment segment concluded without formal board action on the matters discussed.
For follow-up, the resident said documentation of communications with human resources and medical providers existed and can be produced; the union representative said department members and families would continue to attend meetings to show support.
