Niles Police Department Internal Investigations

Overview

Throughout early 2021, there have been a number of internal investigations in the Niles Police Department which garnered media attention. On Monday, July 19, the Niles Police Department provided new information, which had previously been unavailable to the public while these sensitive investigations were ongoing. The Niles Police Department and the Village of Niles encourage residents to read the information on this page and view the video of the press conference. Please note: Some information is still unable to be released, as these incidents have been referred to the Cook County State’s Attorney. Pursuant to Illinois Freedom of Information Act, certain information will not be released, as these incidents have been referred to the Cook County State’s Attorney.

Press Conference

On Monday, July 19, the Niles Police Department held a press conference to provide further updates on recent internal investigations. Below is a summary of the findings of these investigations. You can watch the entire press conference on YouTube or at www.vniles.com/NTV..

Summary of Internal Investigation Timeline

  • February 28, 2021 - NPD (Niles Police Department) units responded to a well-being check involving an off duty part time NPD civilian employee. This event was not criminal but a community care taking call. Mr. Beyer became aware of this incident later in the day on February 28th.
  • March 1, 2021 - Mr. Beyer began his own unauthorized internal investigation in to the February 28th incident including accessing the server containing the body-worn camera footage and recorded that footage on to his department cell phone.
  • March 21, 2021 - The shift commanded by Mr. Beyer investigated a DUI crash.
  • The driver in the crash was arrested by Mr. Markadas for DUI. The driver was transported to Lutheran General Hospital by the Niles Fire Department for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
  • At Lutheran General Hospital, a nurse was changing the arrestee from his clothing to a hospital gown when he discovered a firearm in the arrestee’s pocket.
  • The nurse notified hospital security who located Mr. Markadas in another part of the ER. Markadas called Officer Montgomery to be inventoried at the police department. Officer Montgomery was the evidence technician on duty.
  • Numerous NPD policies were violated during this incident including the falsification of reports. The policy violations were committed by Mr. Beyer, Mr. Markadas, Mr. Zero and Officer Montgomery.
  • March 23, 2021 - A supervising nurse from Lutheran General made a complaint to NPD regarding a gun being in the possession of a subject the Niles Police had in custody and was being treated at Lutheran General Hospital.
  • March 24, 2021 - Deputy Chief Romano asked for memos explaining the actions taken by all NPD personnel involved in the DUI crash investigation. An internal investigation was initiated in to the policy violations associated with the March 21st DUI investigation.
  • March 29, 2021 - The shift commanded by Mr. Beyer investigated an aggravated battery and theft of service call at King Spa. Mr. Beyer violated department protocols in his supervision of this incident by not notifying the Detective Sergeant for an immediate follow up.
  • March 31, 2021 - Deputy Chief Romano requested a memo from Mr. Beyer regarding the King Spa incident and Mr. Beyer’s failure to notify the detective bureau for an immediate follow up. At this time, Mr. Beyer told Deputy Chief Romano that he had details of a cover up reference the February 28th incident.
  • March 31, 2021 - Deputy Chief Romano requested that Mr. Beyer complete a memo detailing the alleged cover up. Neither memo was ever completed by Mr. Beyer.
  • April 2, 2021 - Deputy Chief Romano and Deputy Chief Penze met with Mr. Beyer at his request so Mr. Beyer could provide them with the information he wanted to share regarding a cover up of the February 28th incident. Mr. Beyer failed to provide all of the information he had about the incident even after being order to provide that information.
  • April 2, 2021 - Mr. Beyer was placed on administrative leave for insubordination for failing to obey a direct lawful order from his supervisor to provide all the information he had regarding February 28th incident.
  • April 2, 2021 - The Niles Police Department initiated an internal investigation in to the February 28th incident.
  • April 5, 2021 - Mr. Beyer made a complaint that he received a threat of bodily harm form a part time civilian NPD employee. Mr. Beyer did not provide any evidence to support that claim. This was investigated and determined to be not sustained.

Resulting Actions

As a result of these internal investigations, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Markadas and Mr. Zero resigned after being referred for termination. Officer Montgomery was given a 5-day suspension for his role in the March 21st incident.