NWH finally covers Salerno arrests

The Northwest Herald finally published news of the arrests of McHenry County Jail employee Jeffrey Salerno. What took so long? One reader wrote tonight: "Who says the NWH doesn't read Woodstock Advocate?"

Wouldn't it be interesting to know when they first got a whiff of the first arrest (on November 22nd)?

Oh, they'll say, we're protecting the victim.

I'll tell you. The best way to "protect" the victim is to announce the arrest of the perpetrator, especially if he's a member of the law-enforcement community. And provide lots of support to the victim.

It wasn't just a minor pushing match. No one just raised a hand, as if to hit.

The newspaper said the reason for the second arrest, for a violation of the Order of Protection, was because Salerno allegedly had his mother call his son.

Our good sheriff (or the undersheriff, if he's the one guarding the hen house if the sheriff's gone on an extended holiday) didn't think it important enough to put Salerno on administrative leave immediately after the first arrest. Why not?

In fact, Salerno got access to his weapon with lightning speed - for duty use. That happened through a Motion quickly filed in the Court. Did he have to surrender the weapon each day at the end of the shift?

Why didn't the State's Attorney fight it? Shhhh..... conflict of interest? The State's Attorney represents the Sheriff and the Sheriff's Department. Of course, since the relationship is statutory, the sheriff can't fire the State's Attorney. 

How about now? Salerno is on paid administrative leave (paid, eh?). No work, no gun? I wonder. Do you?

Does MCSD have any rules or policy governing pre-determined disciplinary action in the event of arrest of one of its employees? What does CALEA have to say? Anything?

Will this one drag on like Pyle's cases? Greg Pyle is apparently still an employee of the Sheriff's Department, because Nygren has never gone to the Merit Commission with a request to terminate Pyle or to present any resignation ever submitted by Pyle?

Pyle was first arrested 11 months ago on ten felony counts. Why is he still an employee? Nygren was going to "let" Pyle resign when his pay ran out. The Feds arrested Pyle on Federal charges on the day Pyle's so-called sick pay and vacation pay ran out. The timing is too great a coincidence.