Dimitrios Kalantzis
A veteran Kankakee city police
officer assigned to the area's drug task force has been suspended for abusing
steroids, The Daily Journal has learned.
Paul Berge, who is currently
assigned to the Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group, is being accused
of taking illegal performance-enhancement drugs.
Police Chief Larry Regnier said
he would not comment on personnel issues. Don Harsy, director of KAMEG, has not
returned a call for comment.
Police sources say Berge was
suspended after his girlfriend blew the whistle on his drug use.
Most departments by now have
random drug testing but details of Berge's case is unknown because police
officials will not comment on it.
Risks of steroid use among cops
include many of the variables that impact civilian lives, including aggression,
mood swings and unreasonable emotional responses to situations.
According to a January 2014
article in Police Chief magazine, the FBI began warning of steroid use among
cops more than 20 years ago.
"Anabolic steroid abuse by
police officers is a serious problem that merits greater awareness by
departments across the country," the FBI said at the time.
"Although the traditional
reason for the use of [steroids] is to improve athletic performance, [steroids]
also appeal to officers wanting a tactical edge or an intimidating
appearance," the article noted.
