Police car crash leads to DUI citation for Berwyn officer

An incident in which a suburban police officer was involved in a crash while driving under the influence last month in North Riverside has raised concerns about the delayed notification to residents by his department. The officer, Raul Perez Jr., was driving with his police dog, Romeo, a therapy dog beloved by the community, when the crash occurred in the early hours of December 29. Perez, worried about Romeo's whereabouts after the crash, was suspected of drinking by responding officers due to the strong smell of alcohol. A subsequent test showed he was over the legal limit. The department's notification to the public came more than two weeks after the incident, following community activist Steve Taylor's involvement and a report by WGN Investigates. Taylor emphasized the importance of citizen involvement in holding local government accountable. The officer involved has been relieved of police powers pending an internal investigation, as announced by Berwyn police in a Facebook post. Despite requests for further comment, the police department did not respond until after being contacted by WGN Investigates. Romeo the therapy dog was located shortly after the crash, is reportedly in good health, and back on duty.