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After an Elburn officer was accused online of misusing license plate readers and favoring a local tow company, the police department announced in a news release that its own investigation found that he broke no laws or department policies.
The release came after a DeKane Incidents Facebook post claimed the officer had used a neighboring agency’s in-vehicle license plate reader to stop vehicles for administrative tows.
Here's what to know:
Plate reader claims: The post named Flock, a license plate camera system brand, but police said the department doesn't use that brand (they use Axon). Police also said sharing information between neighboring departments is routine, noting that Elburn and Campton Hills officers sometimes cross paths along Route 38 and assist each other on traffic stops, crashes, and other calls.
Tow truck rotation: The department said it uses three tow companies that take turns after each tow, with the rotation managed by Tri-Com Dispatch's computer system. Chad's Towing, the company the post focused on, isn't the only vendor. Police say Chad’s has worked with the department for more than 20 years.
The tow numbers: From Jan. 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, the officer’s administrative tows went to Caliber (23), Accurate (14), and Chad's (12). After the list changed April 1, they went to Total Fleet, formerly Caliber (9), Dazzo's (10), and Chad's (8). Chad's got the fewest in both periods.
Police said they've answered every public records (FOIA) request filed on the matter and that questions about similar allegations involving a Campton Hills officer will have to go to Campton Hills police.
Read more in this Shaw Local article.
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