On December 15, 2022, an altercation occurred between an off-duty female officer and an off-duty male officer at a local establishment in Peoria, Illinois. The male officer, Sgt. Nate Adams resigned from the Peoria Police Department.
Details about the altercation, including its location and what happened, have not been released to the public. The Illinois State Police are handling the investigation, and the city has declined to comment on any personnel matters.
Sgt. Nate Adams was promoted to his supervisory position in July 2021, according to the department’s Facebook page. He had been with the department since February 2014, giving him just under nine years of service. In 2021, Adams made $109,923 in pay, with $18,425 coming from overtime. In 2022, his salary was $134,292.
In the past, Adams was involved in an incident where he tased a man on his front porch. On September 16, 2019, he testified that on July 31, 2016, he responded to a ShotSpotter alert of gunshots being fired and arrived at a residence on Willcox Avenue. Other officers had already located shell casings in front of the home.
When Adams arrived, he observed the defendant on the front porch with approximately six people who were not following commands and "appeared intoxicated" or "unwilling to comply." Adams described the situation as "intense" and observed Officer Suelter order the defendant off the porch. When the defendant turned and opened the door to return to the residence, Suelter grabbed him, and Adams deployed his taser. The officers took the defendant into custody and found currency and a "white substance" on his person.
It is not clear what led to the altercation between Sgt. Nate Adams and the off-duty female officer or what the consequences will be for Adams. However, incidents of this nature have severe implications for those involved and can erode trust in law enforcement.
Female police officers face several issues and difficulties while working in law enforcement. These may include gender discrimination, harassment, stereotypes, physical demands, and the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities. These can make it more difficult for female officers to succeed in their careers and creates a less supportive work environment. They do not need altercating from male officers after hours too.
Officers engaging in misconduct or behaving unprofessionally can damage their reputation and the reputation of the department they work for. This can lead to a lack of trust and confidence in the department and its ability to serve and protect the community. Incidents of this nature can also have legal consequences for the officers involved, including disciplinary action or criminal charges, which can result in the loss of their job and their ability to work in law enforcement in the future. But most likely, they will just get hired by another department.
All officers must uphold the highest standards of conduct and professionalism in performing their duties. This means acting with integrity, honesty, and respect for the community they serve. Officers behaving professionally and ethically help build trust and confidence in the police department and its ability to serve and protect the community.