Galesburg Police Chief Russ Idle was fired Monday amid allegations of sexual harassment.
City Manager Eric Hanson released the following statement via a news release:
“Following a two-week investigation into allegations of violations of the City of Galesburg’s sexual harassment and discrimination policies, I have dismissed Galesburg Police Chief Russell Idle, effective immediately. I believe it is in the Police Department’s best interest to move forward with new leadership and Deputy Chief Kevin Legate will continue to serve as the Acting Police Chief until the appropriate process and timeline to complete a comprehensive Police Chief search is determined. I am dedicated to ensuring the City of Galesburg and Galesburg Police Department consistently exemplify the highest level of professionalism in all aspects of our operation. This is the full media statement related to this matter and no further comment will be made related to this personnel matter.”
Idle, who had been on paid administrative leave from the department since March 6, appeared before city legal counsel and the director of human resources at a formal interrogation Friday at Galesburg City Hall.
Idle was appointed Galesburg Police Chief on September 9, 2019. He began his career in law enforcement with the Galesburg Police Department on Aug. 29, 1994, and has worked for GPD for 30 years. He has served as a patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, and was promoted to captain in February 2018.
“I’m very sad that this happened,” Idle told WGIL as he fought back tears. “I love everyone at the police department, and at the city and the citizens. It was the honor of my life to serve as police chief. I’m just really saddened by what has happened but I want what’s best for the police department.”
A notice of formal investigation and interrogation that was sent to Idle, and obtained Friday through a Freedom of Information Act request, laid out 11 allegations of sexual harassment against Idle that spanned between 2005 and as recently as this month. Five of the allegations were observed by witnesses. Names of victims were redacted from the documentation received by WGIL. The allegations appeared to be verbal in nature.
The allegations of sexual harassment against Idle were reported from a city employee — whose name and position were redacted — to another unnamed city employee, who then reported them to Deputy Chief Kevin Legate on March 4.
In the memorandum dated March 4, the person reporting the allegations of harassment against Idle wrote to Legate, “I read the incidents that (name redacted) had handed me and noted that they seemed to have occurred over several years, with one incident occurring when the Chief was a Captain. After reading the incidents (name redacted) had documented, I advised (redacted) that I was here to support her and asked how |could assist. (Redacted) advised me that she was going to make an appointment to speak with Human Resources and that she would keep me posted. I advised (redacted) that since she had reported her concerns to me, I would need to notify Deputy Chief Legate and Human Resources due to the mandated reporting. (Redacted) and I spoke further and it was agreed that I would allow her to contact HR prior to me speaking with anyone further.”
