Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Disgust at the actions surrounding and following a traffic crash allegedly caused by a just-retired and allegedly drunk police sergeant filled the city council chambers Tuesday, and you can include police chief Ken Scarlette among the unhappiest.

Saying Michael Egan, now charged with aggravated DUI, is a disgrace to the badge and to the oath which is intended to be in effect for life, Scarlette addressed reports that responding officers were lighthearted and palling around with Egan after the crash: “I apologize for the lack of compassion, the lack of empathy that was displayed on the scene (Thursday). I am going to be very clear: there are no double standards in this industry, nor can there be the appearance of a double standard when investigating crimes. I will not accept that,” said Scarlette.

Speakers during Tuesday’s public comment portion of the meeting would beg to differ, also upset over police treatment of protesters – including the use of riot shields and alleged assaults – Monday outside police headquarters.

“We saw the SPD attack its own citizens as they lawfully protested against perceived favoritism” of Egan, said one speaker.

“I saw Chief Scarlette’s officers looking down and laughing at the suffering and concerns of those that they are supposed to protect and serve,” said another, adding the officers “want to de-stabilize the community.”

While some speakers indicated they trusted Scarlette – for now – and want to give him the benefit of the doubt, at least one called for his resignation. Another, disappointed in the response of Mayor Misty Buscher, urged citizens to remember this in the next mayoral election, which is in the spring of 2027.

A motorcycle hit Egan’s SUV Thursday when Egan allegedly made a left turn in front of it. Passenger  Chelsey Farley was badly injured in the wreck and remains hospitalized. Her boyfriend, biker Trevor Hopkins (pictured, with head bandage), made a brief statement that it’s unlikely police would have extended him the courtesies they did Egan if it were Hopkins suspected of aggravated DUI. “I would have been arrested immediately,” Hopkins said, “and the fact that (Egan) is still roaming now isn’t something that I would have, either.”