McCullom Lake fires police chief

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McCULLOM LAKE – Anthony Loporchio has been removed from his post as police chief in McCullom Lake.

Loporchio was put on paid administrative leave in late October by village President Terry Counley. Since then, Counley has dropped his allegations against Loporchio, but also has decided not to reappoint Loporchio as chief.

Counley, who was elected in April, said state statute allowed him to appoint his own set of appointed officers when taking over and said he never approved Loporchio.

“I have the right to appoint all new people,” he said. “I chose to go a different way.”

As a result of the charges being dropped, a Police Commission hearing scheduled for Thursday was canceled.

Counley declined to reveal any of the accusations he’d originally levied against Loporchio, although he did say none of them were criminal in nature.

“That’s between me and him,” he said. “He’s entitled to his privacy, so I withdrew charges.”

Part-time officer Kelly Given, who once was embroiled in civil lawsuits while serving at the Marengo Police Department, is serving as interim chief. Counley said the village was not in a rush to hire someone permanent.

She was appointed to the position at the Oct. 27 board meeting. Loporchio has not been on the village payroll since then, Counley said.

Given received a pay raise with her new position, but remains part time and her hours vary week to week. Her new hourly wage is $20 an hour. She earned $15 an hour in her previous position.

Loporchio has declined com­ment on the matter in the past and could not be reached Thursday for comment.

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