Effingham Police Officers and Telecommunicators Vote No Confidence in Police Chief

The officers and telecommunicators of the Effingham Police Department earlier this week overwhelmingly passed a no-confidence vote against Police Chief Jeff Fuesting, an action that indicates the employees who serve under Fuesting feel he is no longer fit to hold the position.

A total of 25 of the 26 patrol officers and telecommunications staff passed the no-confidence vote over a two-day period, April 24 - 25. The vote has no legal standing but is a way to publicly indicate that relations between the police chief and his employees have reached the breaking point.

The officers and telecommunicators are represented by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Labor Council and are members of FOP Lodge 209. Probationary employees did not participate in the no-confidence vote.

"The Effingham Police Department employees took this rare vote because they have serious integrity concerns pertaining to the chief,” said FOP Labor Council Executive Director Shawn Roselieb. “Our field staff and members of FOP Lodge 209 have repeatedly talked to Chief Fuesting about violating contractual provisions, unfair employee treatment, and hostile workplace incidents. Rather than try to improve employee relations, Fuesting has enlisted the support of several sympathetic city officials to try and put the blame elsewhere.”

The Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council is a law enforcement union representing more than 12,000 professionals in more than 514 bargaining units who work in the criminal justice system. The Labor Council negotiates and enforces contracts and improves salaries, working conditions, and benefits for law enforcement professionals throughout Illinois. Its members include police officers who work for municipalities, universities, and elected Constitutional officials; county sheriff’s deputies, correctional and court security officers; probation officers; 911 telecommunicators; law enforcement records personnel; and some related support staff.