Letter Of No Confidence In Ex-Mokena Chief Outlines Allegations

MOKENA, IL — Patch has obtained the letter to the Village of Mokena which details the vote of no confidence in former Police Chief Steve Vaccaro. Twenty-five Mokena police officers voted "yes" to the vote of no confidence in October 2020. The letter was verified by three separate sources who all had knowledge of the letter.

The letter — which originated from the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, a union that represents the Mokena Police Department — outlines as reasons for the vote "a lack of integrity on [Vaccaro's] part, numerous derogatory remarks about female officers and plummeting morale."

The five-page letter goes on to detail specific allegations, including:

• Attempting to unilaterally extend probationary periods for Mokena police officers in 2016.
• Lying during a grievance hearing over department policies.
• Directing officers to speak with Village Attorney Carl Buck during the hearing last year by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners to reinstate Mokena Police Commander Chris Carlson.
• Several instances in which Vaccaro made questionable statements in regard to female officers.
• A lack of leadership as being a primary reason for the resignation of multiple officers since Vaccaro took over as chief in 2014.
• Attempting to make arrangements to facilitate a payment for drugs on behalf of a third party via a Mokena police sergeant.
• Launching investigations into Mokena's own police officers without going through proper procedures.

Patch has reached out to the Village for comment on the letter, but has received no response as of press time.

Patch has also submitted Freedom of Information Act requests for documents related to any investigation by the Village or any third-party investigation into the allegations by the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, and for details of the separation agreement between the Village and Vaccaro. Patch is waiting for a response on those FOIA requests.

Vaccaro was reached by phone for comment on the letter and issued the following statement:

"The allegations made by the authors [of the letter] are false, they're baseless, and they're without merit. Every one of them," Vaccaro said. "This was an attempt by the authors to take control of the Police Department and to influence the outcome of the mayoral election by smearing my name with unfounded claims. The Village has ample information to refute the baseless claims made by the authors. I had every intention to address each allegation; however, I chose to retire to spend time with my family.

"I am considering a defamation suit against each individual author and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police in response to the release of this letter, and I will be consulting with an attorney, and I will be considering very strongly taking those actions."

Patch has reached out to Illinois State Police to find out if there were ever any investigations related to the claims made in the no-confidence letter. Illinois State Police have not responded as of press time.

The public was first made aware of the letter of no confidence via a new release from the Village on Nov. 6, 2020. At that time, the Village stated that, "On Friday, Oct. 30, the mayor, board of trustees, Board of Fire & Police Commissioners, and Village administrator received a letter from the Patrol Officers and Sergeants of the Mokena Police Department expressing no confidence in the chief of police, Steve Vaccaro. The Village has initiated a review of the matter by outside, independent counsel. Respecting the privacy and personal interests of those involved, the Village will not comment further until such time as is necessary."

Later in November 2020, former Orland Park Chief of Police Timothy McCarthy was hired as interim chief for Mokena while the investigation of Vaccaro was being conducted.

Vaccaro's retirement was announced Dec. 18, 2020, during a special Board meeting. At that time, Village President Frank Fleischer told Patch that Vaccaro performed with "pride and honor," and that "he was respected by the businesses and the residents."

McCarthy was replaced in May when the Village hired John Keating as police chief.

Most recently, Keating announced Aug. 17 his intention to resign as chief effective Aug. 29, citing "personal reasons." The Mokena Village Board of Trustees announced Monday at their meeting that former Joliet Chief of Police Brian Benton would serve as interim chief until a replacement for Keating is found.

The letter of no confidence can be read in full below. As a warning to our readers, some of the language may be offensive to some people.