By: Diane Benjamin
From the Bloomington Police Union Contract: https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/30481/638539641805070000
.
Does suffering a heart attack while on duty qualify as a “duty related injury”?
Not if you are a Bloomington Police Officer. Police administration is actively ignoring State Law and refusing to pay benefits:
.
The officer was told he had to use personal time instead of receiving benefits as outlined above.
I’m withholding the officers name because I don’t know him personally. I have verified this information two ways. Why would any officer want to work for a department that doesn’t have their back?
This isn’t the only example of discriminatory behavior against police employees by the current administration. Officers are terrified of retribution because they have seen it happen to others.
The City (your taxes) will continually train new officers if administration isn’t changed. Officers risking their life for Public Safety deserve better.
Chief Simington should have been suspect when he took officers to a training at the Holocaust Museum in Skokie. If you missed this story see the links below.
https://blnnews.com/2023/02/16/bloomingtons-lack-of-transparency/
https://blnnews.com/2023/02/20/bloomington-un-redacted-some-from-foia/
Chief “Single syllable” Simington has shown a pattern of behaviors since leaving the State Police (they were probably relieved to see him leave) that not only shows a lack of respect for the citizenry of Bloomington but complete contempt and disregard for civil rights. While filling out a FOIA at the station Chief Simington came into the Foyor and stepped within inches of my location to, “check on my status.” He wanted to make sure I was able to accomplish my task. He loudly inquired if I needed assistance, trying to use his physical presence, (made me giggle), wasn’t alarming in the least. Especially, after serving in the military. He’s definitely not in the same category of Drill Sergeants, First Sergeants, or the omnipresent Sergeant Majors when it comes to intimidation tactics.
His poor treatment of some select officers, favorable treatment of other officers and preferential treatment of a select group of officers is easy to recognize. Let along the same pattern for the citizenry. The lack of transparency is beyond tyrannical behavior and his reign of power is going to or probably has caused people to be hurt and killed in the community.
He needs to go.
The Chief probably sized you up as a typical 10-96 Magat.
I think We the People would be better served if the whole department understood the difference between the USA being founded as a Republic vs the democracy narrative parroted by the lame stream media and were loyal to the Constitutional principles to guide them. That would cover most everything for everyone.
This officer, plus the other 100+ officers, does he job day in and day out. He has done sooooo many extra things on his own time, such as Special Olympics and other activities involving special needs children. Why wouldn’t he be compensated, per Illinois and federal law???