Mysterious 'amicable settlement' in suspended cop's discipline case

A police board hearing scheduled to address a 25-day suspension handed down to now-retired Police Officer Joe Clement has been canceled due to an undisclosed "amicable settlement."

Herb Lande, the chairman of Joliet's Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, confirmed he received an email about Wednesday's meeting but said he had no knowledge of the settlement.

"I was just given an email that it was resolved amicably and they don't need us," Lande said.

"I don't know," he said of the settlement. "I know nothing more."

Police Chief Al Roechner also said he received the email Saturday but — like Lande — was aware of little else with regard to the settlement.

"I've only seen the email," Roechner said. I've not seen anything else in reference to that.

"I don't know of any deals that have been made," the chief continued. "I stand by the discipline that was given."

Roechner suspended Clement for 25 days in January following an investigation into his role in the Fiesta en la Calle controversy in September 2019.

Clement, according to a Roechner memo on the matter, joined Mayor Bob O'Dekirk in accusing now-retired police Sgt. Lindsey Heavener of drinking to the point of inebriation while working security at the street festival.

Heavener took blood and urine tests that night at a local hospital showing he had no alcohol in his system, Roechner said.

The Saturday email showed Fraternal Order of Police attorney Tamara Cummings "writing to advise you that we are withdrawing our appeal in this matter. We have reached an amicable settlement. Therefore, there is no need for a hearing."

Cummings did not respond to a call for comment.

Clement said previously he expected Wednesday's meeting of the police board to clear his name.

“I think the facts and the evidence are going to exonerate me,” Clement said.

Clement, a member of the Joliet Park District Board of Commissioners, said he intends to run for city council in the April election. Heavener also said he plans to run.

"I look forward to the election in April to put the city back on the right path," said Heavener, who called both Clement and Mayor Bob O'Dekirk "corrupt."

"And they know they are," Heavener said. "And shame on the city manager, Jim Hock, for not allowing the 14 cops and the 24 other citizens who were there that night to come forward and tell the truth" at the police board meeting.

O'Dekirk referred questions about the settlement to Hock. Katherine Smith of the city manager's office said Hock was not available Monday.