Bloomington Fire Department Chief Jason Moore said BFD Capt. Robert Sears, who was accused of child solicitation and sexual misconduct, has not returned to the station.
Sears, a 20-year BFD veteran, was arrested Friday morning, according to police booking information, but is no longer in jail.
Moore said he spoke to Sears on the phone once Monday. The chief said Sears told him to talk to his lawyer instead of him in the future.
Sears was placed on administrative duties until formal charges are finalized, according to an initial press release Friday from BFD. Moore said Sears has not come back to work, which the department is considering a no call, no show — the term for an employee not notifying anyone they will not be at work.
Bloomington’s Board of Public Safety must convene to determine any punishment beyond 48 hours of suspension from the fire department.
Moore said the board will convene Friday or Monday to review the case against Sears.
Sears has been a captain at the Bloomington Fire Department since Sept. 19, 2007.
Moore said he does not know Sears personally, but he tells all of the fire department’s recruits the same thing when they join the force.
“When you put on the badge, it’s not only your badge,” he said. “It’s the badge of the department and it’s the badge of firefighters around the world.”
