(MOUNT PROSPECT) A Mount Prospect police officer is set to return to work–with a demotion–this month after he was acquitted of battery charges last week.
Anthony Lietzow was on unpaid administrative leave for more than a year after being arrested on multiple charges by Huntley police on July 19, 2015, according to a statement from Mount Prospect police.
A McHenry County jury found Lietzow not guilty of aggravated battery and resisting arrest on Oct. 6, according to police. Other charges of domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery were previously dismissed.
Lietzow, a 10-year veteran of the Mount Prospect Police Department, had been promoted to sergeant in June 2014, but will be a patrol officer when he returns to work later this month. He will also be excluded from promotional testing for two years.
“Officer Lietzow decided he could best serve the Mount Prospect community and the Police Department as a police officer assigned to patrol,” Chief Tim Janowick said in the statement.
“I understand this period has been a difficult time for Officer Lietzow, his family, and our police department. The fact he requested to be demoted demonstrates his contriteness and willingness to consider what is best for all involved,” Janowick said.
Lietzow will be required to pass a fitness for duty evaluation by a physician, and undergo a 30-working-day disciplinary suspension. He is expected to return to work on or after Dec. 20.
“I am eager to put these allegations behind me and get back to work. I look forward to continuing to build on my distinguished career here in Mount Prospect,” Lietzow said.