Three Villa Park police officers won't be home for Christmas aftera DuPage County judge ruled the village was justified in refusingtheir requests for the holiday off.
The officers filed a lawsuit earlier this month after policeofficials, saying they wanted to be prepared for any Y2K problems,refused to let the men take off work on Christmas Day.
DuPage County Judge John Darrah on Thursday refused to order thatthe village allow the officers to take compensatory time on theholiday, saying authorities had the right to set staffing levels theydeem necessary.
"This court is not going to interfere with the rights of people inVilla Park to be safe and secure in their community," Darrah said.
Jeff Runge, Tim Ulatowski and Ron Ahrendt must show up for theeight-hour shifts they are scheduled to work on Christmas.
Their attorneys had argued the officers were improperly denied theright to use compensatory time, in violation of their contract.
Minimum staffing levels set by Police Chief Ronald Ohlson would bemet even if the officers were allowed to take the day off, theirattorney, Thomas Polacek, said.
"The chief's actions aren't supported by logic or the facts,"Polacek said. "There was no substantial public safety issue onChristmas Day."
The officers asked for the time off on Oct. 1, then filed a uniongrievance when the requests were rejected. The lawsuit was filed inDecember because the grievance procedure wouldn't be completed beforeChristmas, Polacek said.
Darrah questioned why officers waited until October to requestcomp time on Christmas Day, but acknowledged no one is sure what Y2Kproblems might surface.
But he added, "Common sense and the prudent action would dictatethose in charge of public safety should take precautions."
Polacek said he doubted the officers would appeal the ruling.
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