Palatine police defend officer who assisted federal agents
Palatine police officials are defending the actions of an officer who intervened in a confrontation involving federal agents and citizens Monday morning.
According to police, officers responded to a report of a disturbance at 11:50 a.m. on the 1100 block of East Dundee Road. Initial reports indicated three individuals wearing police insignia were trying to arrest a customer at the business.
When they arrived, officers determined that the three individuals were federal agents trying to take a person into custody. A crowd of about 20 people had gathered, several shouting obscenities as they moved closer to the agents, according to the police account.
An officer positioned himself between the agents and the crowd to ensure the safety of all present and maintain order, department officials said.
“Given the subject’s noncompliance, the agitated crowd, and the potential risk of injury, the officer made a split-second decision to assist in stabilizing the situation,” police said. “The officer provided verbal instructions in Spanish to the subject and grasped the subject’s right arm, which was already being handcuffed, while agents secured the left arm helping to bring the incident to a safe and peaceful resolution.”
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