Former cop arrested for Facebook impersonation in Illinois

In Orland Park, Illinois, a former police officer has been arrested for allegedly impersonating a current officer on Facebook. This case arose after a glitter bomb was sent to a police official, which led to a wider investigation into online harassment. The department claimed that someone was using a parody page to critique Deputy Police Chief Brian West and misrepresent his identity. Deputy Chief West experienced harassment following a human resources complaint related to discrimination within the police department. In response, a parody account under the name "Brian East" emerged, criticizing West. The police accused the account of misusing West's photos to deceive people and engage in disorderly conduct. The former officer, Ken Kovac, who left the department in 2019, was identified as the creator of the parody page. He was charged and turned himself in in April 2024. However, a judge dismissed the charges in January 2025, stating that the Facebook page did not constitute a crime. Kovac's lawyer argued that the legal actions were a personal vendetta by West. Despite the dismissal, Orland Park officials expressed disappointment over the outcome. They maintained that their response to the situation was justified and fully compliant with the law. Recently, Kovac filed a lawsuit against the officials who arrested him, expressing embarrassment over the arrest process at his former workplace.