At the June 22 council meeting, the Village of Forest Park unanimously approved a “Resolution authorizing and ratifying approval of the prior execution of an Investigative Service Agreement with Gold Shield Detective Agency, Inc.,” following the Cook County Sheriff’s Office’s failure to be able to handle the case in a timeframe requested by the Village.
On April 27, Daniel Miller, a lieutenant for the Forest Park Police Department, was seen detaining a woman in North Riverside while off duty; he was soon placed on administrative leave.
Miller detained 18-year-old Breanna Pantoja while she was stopped at a red light, and he was wearing plain clothes and driving his personal vehicle. According to Pantoja, Miller didn’t identify himself as he approached her car with a drawn gun.
Miller was wearing a shirt with President Donald Trump’s name on the back and driving a car with a “Prez 45” license plate.
Before this incident, Miller had a long list of complaints made against him, ranging from unauthorized use of the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System to racial profiling and use of force.
“The county thus far has been unable to do anything with the investigation,” Village Administrator Rachel Entler said.
With the need to move things along more quickly, they needed to bring in an independent agency, she added.
Emma Bradford is an intern for NEWSWELL CHICAGO through Report for America’s Local News Internship Program.