An Evanston police officer photographed sleeping at the wheel of his squad car Friday night will be disciplined by the department, police said.

The officer was pictured sleeping in his patrol car at about 11:30 p.m while parked outside Cinemark Century Theatres, 1715 Maple Ave. The photo “made the rounds on social media” before it came to the Evanston Police Department’s attention the following morning, said police Cmdr. Joseph Dugan. The officer, who was working a double shift when the photo was taken, took full responsibility for his mistake, Dugan said.

“It’s still unacceptable, it’s embarrassing,” Dugan told The Daily. “He’s a good officer with no discipline issues in the past. It’s definitely not consistent with his behavior or the department’s standards.”

Once the internal affairs department reviews the incident, a police supervisor will review the case and make a recommendation for the officer’s punishment, Dugan said. The police chief must approve the final disciplinary action.

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