BLOOMINGDALE POLICE DE])!

ARTMENT
INTERNAL COMPLAINT ]iEPORT

DATE / TIME REPORTED: June8, 2020@!j!$9hr$

MANNERCOMPLAINTTIAKEN: [] .~...;.;., [] ....... [] .,... H .,m.
NAME: Deputy Chief Sam Bonilla CODE: C SEX; M DOB: N/A
ADDRESS/RESIDENCE C]'l'Y STATE / ZIP Area Code/ PHONE NO

NAME: CODE: SEIX: DOB:

ADDRESS/RESIDENCE CI'lY STALE/ Zn Area Code/ PHONE NO

CODE: C=Complainant W=Witness O = Other

DATE / TIME OCCURRED: May 30, 2020 at approximately2200hours

INCIDENTLOCATION: N/A

EMPIO'WE(S) l Ofc SeanNoonan #128 2

INVOLVED
3 4

ALLEGATIONS:
Violation of Department Policy 1057: "Employee Speech, Expression and Social Networking"

Violation of Rules and Regulations Departmental Rule #2: "Any Action or Conduct Which Impedes the Department's
Efforts to Achieve its Goals or Brings Discredit Upon the Department"

NARRATIVE: (additional sheetsmav be attached

Seeattached
supplemental
documentation
for further

Are you willing to take a polygraph examination to confirm the allegations you have made?
Y.;E] N.[]

NOTICE: Illinois law (50 ILCS 725/3.8b) requires that anyone filing a formal complaint against a
sworn police officer must support it with a sworn aHidavit. We take complaints seriously and
thoroughly investigate all reports. The giving of false information on this form is punishable und91
720ILCS5/26-IA4

BPDll-l (Rev.06/11)
Complainant'sName: Deputy Chief Sam Bonilla

Complainant'sSignature:

Subscribedand sworn to before me this day

of ,20

Notary Public:

BPD n-l (Rev.06/11) (Continued on next page)

 SUPERVISOR'S
SUMMARY:
INITIAL:
On June 8, 2020 at 1159hours, the Director of Public Safety received an email from a citizen
named The email stated that an officer from the Bloomingdale Police Department,
identified as Sean Noonan, publicly endorsed "violent language" of a citizen's comment on his
persona[socia] media account (Facebook). Additional emai]s and te]ephone ca]]s were received on
June8, 2020 and June 9, 2020 that were addresseddirectly to the Director of Public Safety by
other citizens that also reported the same public expression by O#icer Noonan. Each of the email
complaints received by the Director of Public Safety also included screenshotsfrom Officer
Noonan's personal Facebook account page supporting the allegations. Based on the email and
phonecall complaint(s) received by the Director of Public Safety, an Informal Internal
Investigationwas initiated. 20-C-003

NARRATIVE:
As previously stated, on June 8, 2020 at 1159hours, the Director of Public Safety received the first
of several emails and phone calls from citizens which stated that an officer from the Bloomingdale
Police Department, identified as Sean Noonan, had publicly endorsed a citizen's "violent
language" on social media. The emails specifically stated that Officer Noonan publicly endorsed a
comment on social media by ''liking" the statement that read "until a few rioters are shot dead, and
their bodies leR in the street for the wolves, there's no messagelaw abiding people...can...instill
fear and good behavior in them". The emails also included screenshots that were apparently
recovered from OfHcel Noonan's personal Facebook page. I had the opportunity to review the
documentation provided by the citizens. I observed that on 5/30/2020, Officer Noonan created a
post to his personal Facebook page. It appears to be a link to a website called "Broadcastify.coin"
which is titled ''Chicago Police Citywide 6 Live Audio Feed". Under the Facebook post, one of
OfHiccrNoonan's Facebook fiends identified as ''Frank Canzolino" replies to the post with the
following statement.

Sean,as awful as it sounds, until dew rioters are shot dead, and their bodies le$ in the street
jor the wolves, there's no message lctw abidingpeopte and the oifficet's that protect them can settd
to theseterrorists to instill fear and good bela'pier in them

The documentation provided shows that Officer Noonan ''liked" the comment that was made by
Frank Canzolino. When someone "likes" a comment on Facebook, it would typically suggest that
they approve or endorse the comment being made.

I also had the opportunity to review OfHcer Noonan's public Facebook page. I observed another
comment recently posted by Officer Noonan that referred to people rioting in the Chicagoland area
as"ruthlessanimals"

It should be noted that Officer Noonan has been approved for secondary employment by the
Director of Public Safety at the Bloomingdale Police Department. Officer Noonan serves as an
electedmember of DuPageCounty Board. I learned that on June 9, 2020 during a DuPage County
Board meeting, there were many citizen complaints brought to the DuPage County Board
membersduring public comments relating to this matter. Officer Noonan had a chance to publicly
respondto the complaints made against him. During this time of rebuttal by Officer Noonan, he
publicly acknowledgedthat he did in fact ''like" the comment made by Frank Canzolino. Officer
Noonan said it was simply a "reaction" to the post and that he did not agree with it or condone the
messageby Frank Canzolino. It is important to note that during the public comments when letters
were being read aloud about this matter, numerous times Officer Noonan was mentioned as a
 member of the Bloomingdale Police Department

Officer Noonan has been employed as a police officer at the Bloomingdale Police Department for
more than thirteen (13) years. During that time, Officer Noonan has been issued the Rules and
Regulations of the Bloomingdale Police Department. He has also been issued department policies,
specifically Policy 1057 (Employee Speech, Expressions and Social Media), and has accessto all
policies via the L-.exipolwebsite. Officer Noonan has previously been spoken to by members of the
Command and Supervisory Staff about the importance of not posting inappropriate content
through social media. He has also been spoke to about keeping his law enforcement career
separatedfrom any political thoughts, beliefs or positions he takes as a member of the DuPage
County Board.

During the course of this investigation, I observed recent pictures posted by OHicer Noonan on his
public Facebook page while he was dressed in his duty uniform attire. One photo appearsto be in
front of a residential home endorsing a sign by ER2 Image Group. Another photo shows him
sitting in a squad car him donning a face mask/respirator with a department patch on it that was
not approved to be worn by the Director of Public Safety. And yet another shows him standing in
cont of a Bloomingdale business(D's Treats) in unifoml for "winning" sometype of Facebook
contest that the business had.

On 6/10/2020, the Daily Herald distributed a newspaper article about this social media incident
involving Officer Noonan primarily due to his elected position as a DuPage County Board
member. However, the article identifies Officer Noonan as a police officer from the Bloomingdale
Police Department. The article reports that Officer Noonan released a public statement regarding
this incident that he was "sorry for the mistake I made"

FINDINGS:
Police officers occupy a trusted position in this community, and thus, their statementsat times
have the potential to contravene the policies and performance of this department. Due to the nature
of the work and inf]uence associated with the ]aw enforcement profession, it is necessarythat
employeesof this department be subjected to certain reasonable limitations on their speech and
expression.To achieve its mission and efficiently provide service to the public, the Bloomingdale
Police Department will carefully balance the individual employee's rights against the department's
needsand interests when exercising a reasonable degree of control over its employees' speech and
expression.

AJI of the facts as previously detailed in this matter clearly show that Officer Noonan violated
Policy 1057 (E/np/oPeC Speech,Expressfo/zand Soda/ .Nen'orkfng) of the Bloomingdale Police
Department. Officer Noonan also violated Rule #2 (Hny .Acrfon or Conduct T'1%fch /rnpedes /he
Department'sEgorts to Achieve its Goals or Brings Discredit Upon the DepartmentjundeT the R=\i\eso{
Conduct of the Rules and Regulations of the Bloomingdale Police Department.

Officer Noonan acted to "like" or "react" to a Facebook post insinuating that rioters should be shot
and left in the streets. He also posted a public comment about people rioting/looting in the
Chicagoland area referring to them as "ruthless animals". These actions by Officer Noonan
violated section 1057.4 (b) which clearly states that:

Speechor expressionthat, while not madepLLrsuarltto an ojficialduty, is significantly

linked to, or related to, the Bloomirlgdate Police Department and tendsto compromiseor
damage the mission, furLction, repLLtation or professiottatism of the BloominRdale Police
 Department or its employees.

/. Statemelttsthat indicate disregard for the law or the state or U.S. Constitution.
2. Expressiott that demonstrates support for criminal acthity.

Officer Noonan violated section Policy 1057. 4(e) which prohibits

speechor expression that is contrary to the cartons of the Law Enforcement Code ofEthics
as adopted by the Btoomingdale Police Department.

When Officer Noonan postedphotos of himself in a Bloomingdale Police Department uniform without the
authorization of the Director of Public Safety on his personal Facebook page, he violated Policy 1057.4 (g)
that states the following is prohibited:
(g5Posting, transmitting or disseminating any photographs, video or audio recordings,
likettessesor imagesofdepartmeltt logos, emblems,ILrLiforms,badges,patches, marked vehicles,
equipmerlt or other ntaterial that speci$caLty ideltti$es tile Btoomingdate Police Department Olt
anypersonat or social networking or other website or web page, without the express aLLtluorizatiolt
of the Director ofPublic SafetylChief ofPoLice.
OfHcerNoonan's actions and reactions to this social media matter haveviolated Rule #2 under "Rules of
Conduct" contained within the Rules and Regulations of the Bloomingdale Police Department. It states that
any member is expressly prohibited from:
any action or conduct which impedes the Department's efforts to achieve its goals or brings
discredit upon the Department
When Officer Noonan was identified as a member of the Bloomingdale Police Department over and over
during the public comments of the 6/9/2020 meeting of the DuPage County Board members involving this
matter, it hasclearly reflected adversely upon and brought disrespect to the Department and its members.
When the Daily Herald published a newspaper article regarding this social media matter, it identified
Officer Noonan as a member of the Bloomingdale Police Department.
It is strongly recommended that Officer Noonan identifies the proper balance between his personal social
networking, his position asa police officer at the Bloomingdale Police Departmentand his role asan
electedofficial for the DuPageCounty Board. If thesethree pillars continue to createconflict and bring
discredit to the Bloomingdale Police Department, Officer Noonan should strongly consider removing
himself from his elected position in government and focus solely on being a member of our agency.

ATTACHMENTS
1: Copy of Department Policy 1057; Employee Speech, Expression and Social Networking
2: Copy of Rule #2; Bloomingdale Police Department's Rules and Regulations; page 15
3: Copy of email receivedby the Director of Public Safety on 6/8/2020 by
4: Copy of email received by the Director of Public Safety on 6/8/2020 by
4: Copy of email received by the Director of Public Safety on 6/8/2020 by
6: Copy of email received by the Director of Public Safety by 6/9/2020
7: Copy of a screenshotof OfHlccr Noonan's personal Facebook page displaying his endorsement
of a comment made by a Facebook friend that promotes violence to rioters
 8: Copy of a screenshotfrom Officer Noonan's personal Facebook page displaying his comment
that states "these criminals are ruthless animals. . ."

9-1 through 9-5: Copies of photos from OfHcer Noonan's personal Facebook page representing
the Bloomingdale Police Department without authorization of the Director of Public Safety
10: Copy of Daily Herald newspaper article dated June 10, 2020

Check one

[] No employee misconduct --matter resolved with complainant (if known)

Bg Internal investigation initiated

SUPERVISOR'S
NAME: Watch Commando! Wolenberg #27

SUPERVISOR'SSIGNATURE

pc: Director of Public Safety

Appropriate Deputy Chief

BPD n-l - (Rev. 06/11)

 BLOOMINGDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT
INTERNALINVESTIGATION

DATE: 06/1 1/2020

lIR #: 20-C-003

TO: DEPUTYCHIEF SamBonilla

WATCH
FROM COMMANDER Matt Wolenberg

As a result of the above referenced informal inquiry and after discussion with the
investigating supervisor and responsible patrol supervisor, I recommend the following
action be taken: (circle the appropriate number and fill in blanks where appropriate)

[] 1. No disciplinary action warranted -- case to be filed

[] 2. The following constructive disciplinary action is recommended

n 3 A written reprimand be issued to the employee

H 4. The accusedemployee be suspendedfor 2.shift days (not to exceed 3 days)

gf Twenty(20)hours.

WATCH COMMANDER

Eg APPROVED I NOTAPPROVED
DEPUTYCHIEFOFPOLICE

DATE

PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR reviewed

BPD 11-15(Rev. l0/07)

 BLOOMINGDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT
INTERNALINVESTIGATION
CASEDISPOSITION

DATE: June 11, 2020

lIR #: 20-C-003
INCIDENT REPORT/ TRAFFIC COLLISION / CAD INCIDENT #: N/A

TO: SeanNoonan#128
RANK: Police Officer

DIVISIONS Patrol

The complaint submitted by W/C Wolenberg has been investigated and on the basis
of available evidence, has been classified as:

UNFOUNDED

EXONERATED

NOTSUSTAINED

SUSTAINED X
ORGANIZATIONAL
SHORTCOMING

If the results of this investigation are sustained, a disposition report will be

maintained in your personnel file and further appropriate action may be taken. For all
other classifications, the report will be maintained in a confidential Internal Investigation
file and not in your personnel file.

Frank Giammarese
Director of Public Safety

BPD 11-10(Rev. l0/07)

Memo To Officer SeanNoonan#128
From: Sam Bonilla
Deputy Chief of Police
Date June11,2020
Re: Order of Suspension20-D-006 (11ji# 20-C-003

You are herebynotified,pursuantto Chapter65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-17,

that you are
suspendedas a police officer of the Police Department of the Village of Bloomingdale for
a period of !XS!!!X..£2QL.!!eglii from your currently assigned Patrol Assignment;
specifically, on Thursday June 18, 2020 and Friday June 19, 2020, for violation of:

Lexipol Policy 1057: Employee Speech, Expression and Social Networking''

-Rules attd Regulatiotts Depclrtntettta! Rule +2: ''Any Action or Conduct Virhich
impedes the DepartmeYtt's]]Ulorts to Achieve it's Goats or Brings Discredit Upon
the Department"

You violated the above policy and rule when

You endorsed ("liked") a comment posted by a friend on your personal Facebook

account that stated "until a few rioters are shot dead, and their bodies left in the
street for the wolves, there's no message law abiding people...can...instill fear and
good behavior in them". While referring to local and national civil unrest as a
result of the death of an African American male in Minnesota, you posted a public
statement that read "these criminals are ruthless animals. ..." referring to rioters
and looters in the Chicagoland area. Your expressions, while not made pursuant to
an official duty, are significantly linked or related to, the BloomingdalePolice
Department. Your expressions and statements have compromised or damaged the
mission, function, reputation and professionalism of the Bloomingdale Police
Department and its employees. Your expressions made on social media indicate a
disregard for the law of the state and the U.S. Constitution, and demonstrate
support for criminal activity. Your expressions are contrary to the canons of the
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics as adopted by the Bloomingdale Police
Department. In addition, you have posted photographs that include images of
departmentlogos, badges,uniforms and other material that specifically identifies
the Bloomingdale Police Department on your personal Facebook social networking
webpage (Facebook) without express authorization of the Director of Public
Safety
e
OfficerSeatsNoonan#128
Order ofSuspettsiolt20-D-006
Juttel1,2020
Page 2 oj: 2

The Police Department will not prohibit or infringe upon any communication, speechor
expression that is protected or privileged under law. However, public employees,
including members of this department, occupy a trusted position in the community and
their statementshave the potential to contravene the policies and performance of this
department.

In the future, it is expected that you will use extreme attentiveness and take extra time to
ensure you are operating within department rules, regulations and policies when you
publicly engage in speech, expressions and endorsements in social media. Any further
actions such as these may result in progressive discipline up to and including dismissal
from this agency.

1,officer Sean Noonan #128 was served and received a copy of the above Order of
Suspensionthis dayof ,2020at hours.

Officer SeanNoonan #128

Servedby

Pleasecheck one

1, officer Sean Noonan, choose to satisfy this suspension by

Seizing twenty (20) hours suspension time on Thursday June 18, 2020 and
Friday June 19, 2020 (off without pay). A matching number of overtime hours
worked during the $€1nQ bose40-hr. week in which the suspensionoccurs will
be adjusted to straight time to accommodate the regular hour deficiency in the
aHected base week caused by the suspension.

e S 3 l 3

(A completed benefit time sheet indicating the Forfeiture of benefit time must be
attached to this document)

O#icer Sean Noonan #128

FG/pp
pc: Fire and Police Commission
Village Administrator Peter Scalera
Director of Public Safety
Payroll