Statement from Village President Lopez and Chief Estill
In the recent days, there have been multiple reports related to the hiring of Tricia Langan by the Village of Jerome. In fact, officer Langan, who has been in law enforcement for over 15 years, had been serving as a part-time officer for the Village since August 2019 and in years prior. Officer Langan was hired by the Village of Jerome after a thorough and routine process. At the April 2, 2020 Village Board meeting, Chief Estill presented officer Langan to the Village Board as a qualified candidate for the open Sergeant position with the Jerome Police Department. As it traditionally does with candidates for open positions, and in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the Board discussed approving officer Langan for the Sergeant position in executive session with the advice of the Chief. Following executive session, the Board approved officer Langan for the Sergeant’s position. Importantly, officer Langan has never been the subject of discipline or a complaint related to her service as a police officer in the Village of Jerome. The village holds its police officers to the highest standards and will not tolerate the use of excessive force by any officer. Any substantiated allegations of wrongdoing against Village police officers in the future will be addressed by the Village as swiftly as legally possible, and all appropriate responses, up to and including termination, will be considered.