Story posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Fire Chief Put On Paid Leave
By CRAIG ADAMS Journal & Topics Reporter
Park Ridge City Manager Jim Hock has placed Fire Chief Craig Gjelsten on administrative leave where he will stay until completion of an investigation.
Gjelsten will have a closed hearing at the law offices of Seyfarth Shaw, the city's Chicago-based labor attorney, on Friday, Mar. 5, confirmed Asst. City Manager Juliana Maller. She also confirmed Gjelsten is continuing to receive his salary and benefits while he is on leave, however, he no longer has access to city buildings. His city vehicle is currently parked at city hall, Maller said.
Hock defined the administrative leave as, "A paid leave, pending an investigation." Hock said he informed Gjelsten of the move on Friday, Feb. 26.
On that same day, Hock went to the fire station and informed Jeff Sorensen that he was elevated from deputy fire chief to acting fire chief. Sorensen would not comment on details of Gjelsten's leave. Sorensen also would not state if Gjelsten's office was locked or if he was using it in his new position. "I can't comment on that," he said.
Hock said he could not give details of the situation until certain procedures are followed under the Illinois Firemen's Disciplinary Act.
"Craig came up through the ranks, so he preserves his rights as a lieutenant," Hock said. "Before anybody can talk to him, he had to be served his rights under the law and put on administrative leave. You have to give him a copy of his rights under the public act."
Hock stated the rights were not the standard Miranda rights read to criminal suspects, but do include the right to counsel. "He has the opportunity to get counsel and then we'll have a meeting."
Hock did not know how long it would take to serve Gjelsten his rights. He declined to say when he knew Gjelsten was going on leave. When asked if he discussed the situation during a closed city council session on Monday, Mar. 1, he replied, "I can't tell you."
Hock was also unsure how long the process could last before resolution.
Although Hock would not explain what type of investigation Gjelsten was under, Police Chief Frank Kaminski indicated it was not for any criminal act performed in Park Ridge.
"If there was a criminal investigation, I would know about it," he said. Kaminski said he has not been given details about Gjelsten's leave. "It really doesn't involve the police department," he said. "Maybe it's just a personal matter."
Commander Jay Patrick from the Gurnee Police Dept., where Gjelsten lives, said his department is not investigating him. In a search, Patrick found Gjelsten had only one police contact. "He was the victim in a criminal damage to property case last November," he said.
Maller stated no other members of the fire department are currently under investigation. When asked if she expected any others to be investigated, she replied, "Not at this time."
Park Ridge Mayor Dave Schmidt said Gjelsten's placement on leave was brought up to the city council during a closed session on Monday, Mar. 1. However, he added Hock did not give elected officials any details of the situation. "He can't tell us why," Schmidt said. "All I know is it must be serious."
Schmidt indicated Hock learned of whatever caused the move on that Friday. "As soon as he found out about it, he put Gjelsten on administrative leave and, I guess, notified the union," Schmidt said.
An attempt to reach Gjelsten via his city-issued cellular telephone was unsuccessful. "It's inactive," Hock later explained. "It's in my drawer."
Gjelsten's home phone was disconnected when an attempt to reach him that way was made.
Gjelsten took over the position of fire chief on Oct. 29, 2008 after the September retirement of Ed Dubowski. In an interview soon after his promotion, he spoke of identifying members of the department that wanted to advance through the ranks. "I want to have somebody beneath me that's ready to step into my role," he said at that time.
He elevated Sorenson to the deputy chief position on Nov. 4, 2008.
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