Springfield police release final report on retired officer’s ‘racist and disturbing’ online posts | Main stories

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – The Springfield Police Department has released its final investigation report into a now-former Springfield officer who police say was linked to “racist and disturbing” online posts.

WAND News first reported back in April that authorities said Aaron Nichols was first placed on unpaid administrative leave without police authority after the reports were discovered in a blog post.

Nichols has resigned as a Springfield police officer pending an internal affairs investigation.

Police reported were comments posted on social media by Nichols using an online profile. An internal investigation was launched after this discovery.

Chief Ken Scarlett petitioned the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to revoke Nichols’ officer certification.

“He should not serve in law enforcement again,” said Chief Scarlett.

On April 1, the Springfield Police Department said it became aware of Nichols’ disturbingly discriminatory Twitter posts. They said a group called the Anonymous Comrades Collective conducted its own investigation into racist and discriminatory tweets from several Twitter accounts used by Nichols.

The group posted an article on its blog titled “White supremacist officer Aaron P. Nichols of Springfield, Illinois.”

SPD said Nichols initially denied having a Twitter account, but later admitted he owned all three Twitter accounts.

Nichols’ arrests and prior conduct during his service were investigated.

The report includes a summary of actions taken by “members of the investigative team tasked with reviewing all available reports and digital evidence from Nichols’ work history, department computer, email and body-worn camera evidence.”

Chief Scarlett also requested a review of these materials by Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright.

The investigative team was also responsible for reviewing the current training practices of the Springfield Police Department and identifying additional training that may be needed.

Full report available HERE.

The Sangamon County District Attorney’s Office said no criminal charges will be filed against Nichols in the case.

State Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) issued a statement back in April expressing her disagreement with the officer’s comments.

“The comments and views that have been expressed are shocking and disgusting,” Turner said. – They are an insult to our great community and the fine men and women of the police department who serve it. I believe there should be a thorough independent investigation into this former officer and his conduct. But I want to thank the department for acting quickly, and I hope to be a resource as we move forward together as a community.”

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