Multiple female employees said a security contractor at the Lake County Courthouse asked them to remove their button-down blouses at a security checkpoint. The sheriff’s office is now investigating.
Chicago-based Monterrey Security is contracted for security at the Lake County Circuit Courthouse in Waukegan.
CBS 2 reported that multiple female employees who work at the courthouse said a security contractor with the firm asked them to remove their button-down blouses as they went through the metal detectors.
“We are actively investigating these allegations with Monterrey Security and reviewing video footage,” Lake County Sheriff Chief of Staff Anthony Vega told Lake and McHenry County Scanner.
The complaints stem from one entry point “out of many” that Monterrey Security oversees, Vega said.
However, the sheriff’s office said they have not identified any instances in which a female employee was asked to remove their blouse while reviewing video surveillance footage so far.
“Items that were removed were sweaters, cardigans and outerwear,” Vega said, adding that all employees are asked to remove suit jackets, sweaters and other outerwear.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has clarified screening protocols and worked with staff on visible signage and communication of protocols.
On Wednesday, members of Monterrey Security executive leadership were on site to help ensure their staff understood screening protocols.
“We will continuously work with our entry screening contractor, Monterrey Security, on ensuring they understand and are trained in protocols,” Vega said.
“We will also work with our county department heads on ensuring they have the screening protocols to communicate with their own staff,” Vega added.