KANKAKEE, IL — A 61-year-old man was arrested Saturday for allegedly assaulting a police officer disguised as Safety Pup, the mascot representing the local police department.
According to police reports the assault took place outside the Kankakee Public Library, where the officer was participating in an event for children at the time, donning the costume to obscure her identity.
Eyewitnesses reported that around 10:30 a.m., the officer stepped outside the library into the parking lot when Dennis L. Campbell, the suspect, unexpectedly hit her in the back of the head. The force of the blow was allegedly so forceful that it reportedly caused the officer to lose her balance and nearly fell to the ground.
Acting swiftly, the officer removed the head of the mascot costume, revealing her identity as a officer. Campbell claimed ignorance of her occupation. Campbell was taken into custody on charges of aggravated battery to a peace officer.
