A Deputy Chief and a Gang Suppression Officer from the Maywood Police Department have been arrested and are facing felony criminal charges in connection with separate investigations in which the officers are accused of misconduct both on and off-duty, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez announced today. 

Deputy Chief Brian Black, 36, has been charged with Obstruction of Justice (Class 4 felony) and Felony Disorderly Conduct (Class 4 felony) in connection with an off-duty incident that occurred in November in which Black is alleged to have struck a man in the head with his service revolver and then fabricated a story to police that he had been the victim of an attempted carjacking.  Black joined the Maywood Police Department in 1997 and was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief in June of 2007.

Robert Welch, 41, a member of Maywood’s specialized gang enforcement team, has been charged with Theft of Government Property (Class 2 felony) and Official Misconduct (Class 3 felony).  The state charges against Welch stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office working in cooperation with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Welch joined the Maywood Police Department in 2004 and was appointed as a member of the Special Enforcement Team in September of 2010.

“It’s is always disappointing to announce charges in cases such as these because they  overshadow the good work of the thousands of officers who serve us with honesty and integrity every day,” said Alvarez. “Maintaining the public’s faith in their police officers is critical and that is why allegations such as these will be vigorously pursued.”

Brian Black

According to court documents filed today, Black and the victim he is charged with assaulting had been friends for several months prior to the incident. They would often drive around together in Black’s personal vehicle while drinking alcohol and occasionally smoking marijuana.

According to prosecutors, in the early morning hours of November 14, the victim and the defendant were driving together on the West Side of Chicago when Black put his hand on the victims’ leg in a ‘provocative manner’ several times. The victim rebuffed his advances each time before punching the defendant and attempting to flee the vehicle.

As the victim attempted to flee, Black retrieved his service weapon and struck the victim in the head with it as he fled. Both Black and the victim called 911 to report the incident but before police responded the defendant hid his weapon in a nearby barbeque grill. 

According to prosecutors, Black told responding Chicago Police Officers that he had been driving alone when the victim had attempted to carjack him. However as the investigation continued, Black gave several conflicting versions of events before investigators eventually learned the truth. Black also told officers where his weapon had been hidden.

Robert Welch

According to prosecutors, Robert Welch had been assigned to a gang suppression unit with the Maywood Police Department when complaints began to surface about the theft of funds from individuals he had arrested or detained.

Acting on the complaints, federal authorities launched an undercover investigation. On two separate occasions in November, undercover agents were approached by Welch and on both occasions Welch searched the agent’s pockets, retrieved cash and pocketed some of the money.  The remainder of the money was either returned or was inventoried at the Maywood police station. 

After going off duty following the second undercover operation on November 23, Welch was taken in to custody at a Burbank tavern and was found to be in possession of several of the bills.  He is accused to stealing $290 during the undercover operation.

As result of these investigations both officers were arrested yesterday and were scheduled to appear in Central Bond Court at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 26th and California. 

The public is reminded that charging documents contain allegations that are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to fair trial at which the state has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  

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