A Lake County Policeman who was arrested after traveling in excess of 100 mph while under the influence of alcohol last month returned to work Wednesday after the department “addressed it through disciplinary action consistent with department policy,” said Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.
Officer Thaddeus G. Bilski, of Hobart, was placed on administrative leave without pay for three days after an Indiana State Police trooper arrested him on January 30, according to a release Martinez issued Wednesday. He was charged with three Class C misdemeanors, including operating a vehicle while intoxicated, operating a vehicle with an alcohol level of .08 or more, and reckless driving — and two infractions for speeding and unsafe lane movement.
According to the probable cause affidavit, an Indiana State Police trooper observed a 2017 black Ford Explorer traveling in the far left lane at speeds up to 102 mph around 3 a.m. on Jan. 30 in the westbound far left lane of Interstate 80/94 near the Burr Street exit. The Explorer made a sudden lane change to get around and pass another driver, which led the trooper to activate his emergency lights. The Explorer then pulled onto the right shoulder to stop, records state.
The trooper tried to get Bilski to roll down his windows, which took him several moments to do so. The trooper observed that Bilski’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, staring off, and he did not appear to be aware of what was going on, court records state. He told the trooper he was driving from his girlfriend’s house, but later changed his story to say that he was traveling to her house.
The trooper asked Bilski to exit the car, the affidavit states. As he exited, he had to zip up and button his pants. Police detected a strong odor of alcohol on Bilski, records state.
During the stop, Bilski asked if anything could be done about the stop, implying that this would affect his job as a police officer and as though he meant to use his job as a means to avoid the stop from continuing.
He told police that he had been drinking alcohol earlier, court records state. He was placed in wrist restraints and seated in the front of the patrol vehicle. Around 4:03 a.m., Bilski was administered a blood-alcohol test, which listed his concentration as 0.10 percent, the affidavit states.
More Top Picks Best 75 Inch Tvs
He was transported to the Lake County Jail. On the way to jail, Bilski started to blame the trooper for the incident, saying that he was going to lose money he had saved up on a court case and he would lose out on a K9 position at work due to this incident, records state. He did not show remorse for the incident, but only listed the problems the incident would cause for him.
Bilski will be required to undergo “additional training” as the department investigated, Martinez said.
“As with any member of the public, Officer Bilski is entitled to due process under the law,” Martinez said of Bilski, whose record was otherwise good, in the release. “The department’s administrative review is separate from the criminal court process and focuses strictly on departmental policy, conduct expectations and professional standards.
“While no one is perfect, we hold our officers to a high standard both on and off duty. In this case, we determined the off-duty conduct was inappropriate and addressed it through disciplinary action consistent with department policy.”
Bilski’s next court hearing is set for 11 a.m. on Feb. 13.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.