Wheeling police unions tell village board they have no confidence in chief, urge administrative leave

At the April 7 Village of Wheeling meeting, representatives of the Wheeling Police Officers Union and the sergeants' chapter told the board they had submitted a formal vote of no confidence in Police Chief Dunn and Deputy Chief Stefan and asked management to take immediate personnel action.

The unions said the Metropolitan Alliance of Police delivered a no-confidence letter signed by 34 of 39 eligible patrol officers and that the sergeants’ chapter provided a unanimous verbal vote of no confidence. Steven Komen, who identified himself as a Wheeling police officer and secretary for the Wheeling Police Officers Union, told trustees the letter lists “concerns and ethical complaints” about leadership, training lapses and non‑uniform discipline.

Komen said union leaders met with Village Manager John Spondelas and Assistant Village Manager Michael Corati on March 4 to detail the concerns but that the meeting did not address the substance of the no‑confidence letter. He said village management told officers it was unaware of management problems and that, in the union’s view, management failed to interview witnesses named in complaints. Komen also said two unfair labor complaints had been filed against Chief Dunn with the State of Illinois.

Komen laid out the unions’ request in clear terms: “We request that the village management place Chief Dunn on an administrative leave until his retirement date of July 4 and dismiss Deputy Chief Stefan effective immediately,” he said. The unions said they requested those steps because they believe allowing the chief and deputy chief to remain in command could compromise discipline and deter employees from reporting misconduct.

Michael Bishke, who identified himself as a sergeant with the Wheeling Police Department and the sergeant chapter’s secretary, offered copies of the unions’ letters to the board. “We do have the letters if I can approach and give you what I just read,” he said while handing the documents to the clerk.

Union remarks cited staffing and retention figures, saying roughly 20 officers have left the department since 2020 after serving fewer than 18 years, and estimated the village invests about $100,000 per officer (training and equipment) for officers with seven years’ service. The unions said departures and hiring practices have increased training costs and strained readiness.

The unions also said a March 24 meeting with village management, which included President Horker, concluded with management reporting it found no evidence of wrongdoing by Chief Dunn or Deputy Chief Stefan. The unions asserted that, from their perspective, the investigation did not include interviews with most department members and that many complaints were dismissed with limited explanation.

The unions asked the board to consider promoting a chief from within the department, arguing internal candidates would restore morale and reduce further resignations. They also offered to meet with the board to discuss the details provided in their written submissions.

Trustees did not take formal action during the meeting; the item was presented during the public comment period and no board response or vote was recorded on the record at the April 7 session.