(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The former police chief of Robbins is suing the village and its mayor over what he described as his retaliatory firing in April.
Former chief David Sheppard claimed his decision to challenge directives that he saw as illegal or wrong led to what he called his “unlawful termination.” In a federal lawsuit, he said Robbins Mayor Darren Bryant demanded personnel changes and repeatedly requested the department move a stolen car before it had been processed in a fatal crash investigation.
The lawsuit seeks Sheppard’s reinstatement plus back pay. The former chief told WBBM he was never given a reason for his firing.
“We had reduced murder by 90% in the town, and we were down in 20 different categories when it comes to major crime,” he said.
Robbins spokesman Sean Howard said the Village hasn’t seen the specifics of the lawsuit.
“[Bryant] views these allegations as baseless and without merit,” Howard said. “Everyone knows that the chief serves at the pleasure of the mayor. The mayor chose to remove the chief because he wanted to simply go in a different direction.”
The Daily Southtown reported in April that Sheppard was fired after refusing to voluntarily resign from the job. Sheppard had decades of experience in law enforcement in Cook County prior to taking over as Robbins’ top cop.
Robbins Trustee Tiffany Robinson said there was no public vote to fire Sheppard, who she believed had been doing good work.
“We know that as the temperatures rise, so does crime, and Chief Sheppard knows the blueprint of this municipality,” Robinson said.
Howard said they stand “firmly behind the mayor’s credibility and firmly behind his integrity.”
Since Sheppard’s firing, Howard added that the board has approved an interim replacement.
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