Decision on Grady anticipated by Thanksgiving
By KATE SCHOTT kschott@daily-chronicle.com
DeKALB – A review panel looking into the conduct of Northern Illinois University's police chief should be ready to release their findings before Thanksgiving, a university official said Monday.
The performance review of NIU Police Chief Donald Grady was prompted by a Oct. 8 editorial in the Northern Star, NIU’s student newspaper, which called on university officials to remove the chief from his post.
The newspaper’s editor said that during an August interview, Grady yelled at him for nearly three hours, accused him of ruining the career of a patrol officer who had recently resigned and at one point offered the possibility of future employment if the Northern Star would write a story that painted the resigned officer in a favorable light.
Grady also implied that the student could face personal or professional negative implications if he didn’t write the story, according to the newspaper’s editor.
The same day the editorial appeared, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Eddie Williams, who oversees the police department, issued a written statement saying the school would undertake a "comprehensive review" that would "include an evaluation of the assertions and concerns raised by the editorial board."
On Oct. 8, administrators said the review would take approximately 30 days. Grady, who has been chief since 2001, was placed on paid administrative leave Oct. 9.
Kathryn Buettner, vice president of University Relations, noted that it took time to assemble the external panel and for them to meet, she said.
"We are well within our 30-day estimate if one begins counting when the panel convened and not from the date of the editorial," she said.
NIU administrators named the panel – which is being chaired by retired Illinois Supreme Court Justice John L. Nickels – on Oct. 15. Also serving on the panel are Marlon C. Lynch, associate vice president for Safety and Security at the University of Chicago, and Robert T. Marshall, Jr., who recently retired as vice president for Student Services at South Suburban College in South Holland.
Nickels did not immediately return messages left Monday seeking comment. Williams said he had no further comment beyond Buettner's statements.
The team is expected to issue a final report to Williams and NIU President John Peters. They in turn will make public final decisions after reviewing the findings and recommendations.
An exact release date of the findings is uncertain, Buettner said, but NIU officials said their goal is to make an announcement before Thanksgiving.
Grady will remain on administrative leave until the review is completed, Buettner said. Three lieutenants are running the NIU Police Department in his stead.
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