Grayslake Police Chief Put On Administrative Leave

Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor placed Police Chief Matt McCutcheon on administrative leave Friday, April 6, following his DUI arrest last week in Wisconsin.

"He reported this incident to the village," Taylor said in a statement. "Since the notification, the village has been conducting an investigation into the incident."

McCutcheon was involved in a traffic crash March 30 in Kenosha County while off duty.

McCutcheon was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and being armed while intoxicated because he was carrying his service firearm, the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office report states. McCutcheon was arrested after he crashed head-on into another car at the intersection of County Road C and Highway 45. No injuries were reported.

Taylor stated McCutcheon has contributed much during his years of service to Grayslake.

"For twenty years, Chief Matt McCutcheon has been dedicated to the safety and security of our village," Taylor stated. "During this time, his standard of performance has been exemplary. The reports of March 30, 2012, are inconsistent with his service to and history with the village, its community organizations and civic groups."

The leave will allow McCutcheon to "focus on pending legal proceedings." 

The village now is seeking an interim chief.

"This action will provide the village and its police force with a chief who will be able to focus full-time on providing for the safety and security of Grayslake and Hainesville," Taylor stated.

Depending upon the outcome of the Grayslake investigation, there could be further career repercussions for McCutcheon.

"As indicated earlier in the week," Taylor stated, "if the allegations are correct, this would constitute unacceptable conduct for the individual who serves as the Grayslake Police Chief."