La Grange Cop Hopeful Breaks Law In Interview: Police

La Grange IL

20 July, 2021

12:34 PM

Description

LA GRANGE, IL — A Chicago man wanted an officer's job with the La Grange Police Department. He was arrested instead. Raymond H. Tat, 26, was arrested on two misdemeanor counts of possession of a concealed firearm in prohibited areas. He took his gun into La Grange Village Hall and the police department. Both had signs indicating guns were banned. On June 9, Tat took part in a two-stage interview process for an officer's position. He started at Village Hall and then proceeded to the police station, according to a police report obtained by Patch through a public records request. When Tat was taken into the station's archive room, police officers put their guns into a lockbox just outside, following the department's policy, the report said. During the interview, Tat said he owned a Smith & Wesson 9mm and a Ruger 380 ACP. The next part of the report was redacted, so it was unclear how the interviewing officer learned Tat was carrying a concealed weapon. The officer then told Tat that guns were prohibited in local government buildings under state law and that the police station fell under that category. Tat acknowledged he saw the officers put their guns into the lockbox, according to the report. He said he thought about saying "something" about his gun, but everyone was busy with a computer issue, police said. The interviewing officer never asked Tat to display his gun, but asked him to put the weapon back in his car and return to finish his paperwork, police said. Tat later said he also had the gun, the Ruger 380 ACP, with him at Village Hall, the report said. He was told he could be arrested for such violations. Police administration was later notified what Tat had done. On June 29, an officer left a message with Tat, who returned the call shortly after. Tat said he was no longer interested in the hiring process in La Grange, saying he would like to focus on being hired with the Chicago Police Department, according to the report. The officer asked whether Tat could show up at the department in a couple of days. Tat said he could. When he arrived, Tat was told he would be charged with carrying the gun into government buildings. In an interview with police, Tat said he did not display the gun or make any threats to anyone while he was at either government building, according to the report. He said he no longer wanted answer any other questions. Tat was released on bond.