Officer was previously terminated in 2017 for violations of policy; reinstated by arbitrator
The Aurora Police Department has terminated the employment of Officer Jonathan Olsen after a criminal and internal Office of Professional Standards Investigation revealed he left numerous voicemails threatening to harm the life and well-being of the intended recipient, according to a statement released by APD Friday evening.
Olsen’s employment had been previously terminated in 2017 by former Chief Kristen Ziman after an Office of Professional Standards investigation into violations of departmental policy.
After that termination, Olsen appealed to an arbitrator, who found that the City had proven its allegations of serious misconduct against him but nevertheless reduced his termination to a suspension of 60 days and reinstated him.
On Saturday, April 24th, 2021, a local resident came into the Aurora Police Department’s Front Desk and reported that his teenage child had received numerous threatening voicemails on their cell phone. During the course of the initial investigation, officers learned that the phone number was a personal phone associated with an Aurora Police Officer.
Due to the sensitive nature of the allegations, the case was immediately assigned to supervisors from Aurora Police’s Division of Investigative Services, and they began a full criminal investigation.
A few days later, the victim and their family came to Aurora Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards and signed a formal complaint against Olsen. At that time, Olsen was immediately placed on administrative leave as dictated by Aurora Police policy.
In addition to the criminal case, Aurora Police’s Office of Professional Standards opened an internal administrative investigation into Olsen’s conduct and ultimately found the complaint sustained.
The administrative case was reviewed by the Bureau Commander and the Employee Review Board, who recommended termination. After being reviewed internally, the administrative case was sent to the newly formed City of Aurora’s Civilian Review Board for review. This Office of Professional Standards case was one of the first cases reviewed by the Civilian Review Board, which concurred with the findings and also recommended termination.
The administrative case was returned to Chief of Police Keith Cross, who recommended Olsen be terminated by the city. Shortly thereafter, Olsen was terminated.
Additionally, the facts and evidence of the parallel criminal investigation by Aurora Police’s Investigations Division were presented to the office of DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin for review.
“After conferring with those involved, including the victim, the victim’s parents, the Aurora Police Department as well as investigators and attorneys from my office, I have made the determination that in consideration of the evidence, facts, and circumstances, and with deference and concern given to the minor as well as the minor’s parents’ satisfaction with the disciplinary actions imposed upon Jonathan Olsen and their desire to not pursue any further action, no criminal charges will be filed against Jonathan Olsen,” Berlin said.
“It is crystal clear that Jonathan Olsen violated the law and traumatized several people with his actions,” Cross said.
“Our officers are held to a very high standard and must be held accountable for their actions,” Cross continued. “His conduct was detrimental to the department as a whole and his credibility as a police officer.”
