A local police chief confirms information involving the theft of a police vest and swat gear.
Two Lincoln Heights police officers claim their protective gear was stolen from a garage in the police department weeks ago.
However, the acting chief says a report wasn't taken until a few days ago.
Local 12 Reporter Jessica Donnellon says many of the officers store their bullet proof vests and other swat gear here inside this garage at the police department. And Local 12 has learned some of that protective gear is now missing. Obviously a huge safety concern because now these items could be out on the street.
Department policy prevents these officers from talking on camera, but Lincoln Heights Acting Police Chief DeAngelo Sumler sat down with me and confirmed that one of his sergeants was notified about two different thefts but did not file theft reports until last week. The chief says the reason it took so long is because this small department is strapped for cash and doesn't have enough manpower. that means other more crimes take precedence
"That is what we're dealing with when we have no investigator...someone specified as an investigator. We have those officers that put on 4 or 5 hats...sometimes doing investigations, sometimes out on the street as a patrolman."
"If you find police gear is out on the street, now big of a concern is that to you? It's a very big concern, because that determines how we deal with the person who took it."
