Springfield’s police chief is requesting that a former officer who resigned amid an investigation of alleged racist social media posts be “decertified,” which would prevent him from ever again working as a cop.
Chief Ken Scarlette says the department will not tolerate the type of beliefs that former officer Aaron Nichols is accused of espousing. The decision on decertification is up to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. But even if Nichols is decertified, it doesn’t appear that his actions will impact his pension, since he has not been charged with any kind of crime.
In the meantime, Springfield police will take part in a “unity forum” with the NAACP and the Springfield Jewish Federation, next Wednesday evening, April 13th, at Southeast High School.
