The McHenry County sheriff’s deputy who parked her squad car in a handicap parking space while getting Chipotle has received a citation, will attend sensitivity training and has received internal discipline, officials said.
“The Sheriff’s Office expects all of its employees to comply with the same laws and statutes as the public. The Sheriff’s Office continues to faithfully serve the community, promoting the safety and protection for all,” officials said in a statement Tuesday afternoon after concluding their internal investigation.
An internal investigation was launched Monday after photos surfaced on social media showed the deputy park her squad car in a handicap parking space around 11 a.m. Saturday while she picked up Chipotle, 2304 North Richmond Road in McHenry.
Spring Grove resident Lou West shared the photos on Facebook and spoke to Lake and McHenry County Scanner.
“She asked me what I was doing when I took her picture. I told her she was in a handicap parking spot and it irritates me when people just run in for a few minutes because my son needs those spots,” West said.
In the photos shared by West, the unidentified female deputy can be seen exiting the restaurant with a bag of food.
“A few minutes later she knocked on my window and said she was sorry for parking there. I mentioned it’s a $250 ticket and she said she doesn’t typically write those tickets. She also asked me if I wanted to talk to her supervisor. I said no because it’s pointless, nothing will happen,” West said.
The deputy told West it “never happened before” and “wouldn’t happen again.”
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said Monday evening that the behavior of the deputy was ‘unacceptable’ and is against their policy and procedures.