Illinois whistleblower police officer placed on leave

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/506401-illinois-whistleblower-police-officer-placed-on-leave


By Aris Folley - 07/08/20 01:13 PM EDT


A police officer in Illinois has reportedly been placed on leave and lost his badge after he told local media about his department’s alleged attempts to conceal footage of the arrest of Eric Lurry, a Black man who died in police custody earlier this year.

According to CBS Chicago, Sgt. Javier Esqueda, an officer for the Joliet Police Department, lost his badge and has since been place on leave pending what Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner called a “criminal and an internal investigation.”

•••••

Roechner also said Sgt. Doug May, the officer who recorded holding his hand on Lurry’s nose in the newly-uncovered footage, has also since been placed on leave and is under investigation as well.