On April 3, members of the Caseyville Fraternal Order of Police made a complaint to the Village Board and police commissioners about Police Chief J.D. Roth. The complaint alleged, in detail, a number of legal, moral and ethical transgressions. Additionally officers conveyed their second "no-confidence" vote against Roth in two years.

I believe in the presumption of innocence, but the details provided by officers demanded investigation. Immediately, Roth should have been put on administrative leave until the allegations could be investigated. But since April, the village has refused to investigate these allegations. Roth has refused comment. Several officers who had the fortitude to report the chief's alleged misconduct appear to be subjected to retaliation.

I cannot say one way or another about most of the allegations, but those that concern me are 100 percent accurate. Roth has had more than ample time and has failed to publicly deny anything.

I have addressed the Village Board only to be ignored. I feel Mayor George Chance, the Village Board and its a board of commissioners are failing to ensure the integrity of the Police Department. That compromises the safety of the citizenry.

Only Trustee Rick Casey Jr. has publicly called for an investigation.

This dire situation in Caseyville demands the attention of state and federal prosecutors. It seems prosecutors always have abundant resources to fight crime below Illinois 157, but always overlook alleged wrongdoing in Caseyville.

Brad VanHoose

Belleville