Tinley Park police Cmdr. Patrick St. John, 54, was charged with domestic battery and violating an order of protection Friday, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office.
St. John turned himself in at about 6:15 a.m. Friday and resigned later that day. His retirement will be effective Dec. 19. St. John has been on leave for the past several weeks, said Tinley Park Village Manager Pat Carr.
Sheriff detectives said St. John violated an order of protection by trying to contact the victim through a third party. Detectives also said St. John had previously assaulted the victim, according to a sheriff’s office statement.
St. John appeared at the Cook County courthouse in Bridgeview Friday, where he was ordered to surrender his FOID card and firearms, refrain from going to certain areas and communicating with certain people and refrain from possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon, according to court documents.
St. John was released from custody and ordered by Cook County Judge Michael Chvatal to gather his belongings with a police escort Friday. St. John is scheduled to appear again in court Jan. 26.
Carr said village officials are aware of the “very serious domestic battery allegations” against St. John.
Carr said the village initiated the investigation that brought the charges and is working collaboratively with the Cook County sheriff’s office “to ensure there is no perception of impropriety or special treatment.”
“I want to stress that the village holds all of our officers to the highest standards and will call to account anyone convicted of wrongdoing,” Carr said. “The actions of one officer in no way reflect the values of the Tinley Park Police Department and all of the fine men and women who serve our town.”
St. John has worked for Tinley Park police for nearly 27 years and was promoted to commander in December 2024, Carr said.
The Tinley Park Police Metropolitan Alliance of Police 192 Union, which voted no confidence against the Tinley Police chief in August, emphasized in a statement Friday that St. John was not part of the union, due to his status as an administrator.
Union officials also said the union supports survivors of domestic violence and said the union hopes the justice system addresses the serious allegations fully and fairly.
“As the officers often first on the scene of these calls, we witness the trauma involved and our thoughts are with those affected by this incident,” the union statement read. “We have faith in justice being sought and delivered.”
The union further advocated that new leadership be selected in a “transparent, merit-based process.”
The Tinley Park Village Board is scheduled to vote on appointing Frederick Melean to commander Tuesday night.
Melean has 31 years of law enforcement experience, including 25 years in supervisory and command positions, according to a village statement. This includes serving as sergeant, lieutenant, commander and deputy chief.
The village statement also said Melean has experience in managing large teams and achieving operational goals.
Melean was Chicago deputy police chief before retiring in 2023.
If appointed as Tinley Park’s police commander, Melean would begin Jan. 5.
awright@chicagotribune.com