Paid Leave An Entire Year: The Plight Of Joliet Police Detective Pete Ranstead, Charged With Domestic Battery

JOLIET, IL — At no point this year has Joliet police detective Peter "Pete" Ranstead helped his fellow officers investigate one of Joliet's many shootings. He has not investigated any homicides, burglaries, robberies or identity theft crimes. All the while, Ranstead has collected his regular paycheck — every two weeks — for staying home and away from Joliet's Police Department.

Ranstead has received approximately $104,835 for being on administrative paid leave from Joliet through the end of August, a Joliet Patch Freedom of Information Act request found. In addition, Ranstead was paid several thousand extra dollars in other forms of compensation allowed under his Fraternal Order of Police collective bargaining agreement with Joliet.

Even though Ranstead remains on paid administrative leave, in January, he received a $2,100 court stipend, a $4,430 holiday pay stipend and a $750 plain clothes allowance, since Joliet detectives typically don't wear a standard uniform to work.

Based on last week's written question and answer interview with Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty, Ranstead's paid leave will continue — and that will continue to cost the taxpayers even more as the Joliet Police Department remains down an officer.

Ranstead Investigated By His Fellow Joliet Officers, Detectives

In an exclusive story published on October 2, 2024, Joliet Patch broke the news surrounding Ranstead's arrest, after fellow Joliet police were called to his home in the Kendall County portion of Joliet the previous weekend. Ranstead was arrested and charged in Kendall County with two counts of domestic battery and one count of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.

At 12:12 a.m. Sept. 28, 2024, Joliet officers responded to the off-duty detective's house on Woodiris Drive for a domestic disturbance. Officers learned that a confrontation happened at the home involving Ranstead, now 42, and his wife, now 29.

"It is alleged that during an argument, Ranstead grabbed the victim by her shoulders and forced her toward the doorway of a second story bedroom. It is believed Ranstead then pushed the victim out of the room, causing her to strike her head on an adjacent door frame," Joliet's arrest report stated.

The victim forced her way back into the bedroom and tried to call 911 at which time it is believed Ranstead took the phone from her, the arrest reports reflect. Three days later, Joliet police obtained an arrest warrant for their fellow detective, and Ranstead turned himself in shortly after 6 a.m. the following day at the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office in Yorkville.

"I Do Not Feel Secure And Safe In The House": Ranstead's Wife

This past May 19, Ranstead's wife filed a written order of protection in connection with her husband's criminal case.

"Peter's violent behavior began on Easter Sunday approximately two years ago when he punched a hole in our bedroom wall at our previous residence. He did so during an argument. Peter has a significant history of emotional abuse as well as manipulation," she wrote.

"From the beginning of our relationship, Peter demonstrated deeply rooted insecurities about me in regards to social expectations, job expectations and friends that I had. He tried to dictate how I lived my life. In June of 2024, Peter struck me in the face with a metal pizza pan. I had a large bruise on my jaw leading into my neck the days following. He denied ever hitting me and never took accountability and never apologized."

Ranstead's wife explained in her order of protection that "In February of 2025, I had another incident with Peter that was not physical but he was in violation of his court order of 'no offensive contact' when he unlocked my daughter's locked bedroom and grabbed my laptop from me while I was sitting with our son ... He then became defensive and raised his voice saying that he could come into the house whenever he wants. Because I did a past domestic abuse interview, he will soon find out because it will be put into discovery and due to his unpredictable behavior, I do not feel secure and safe in the house. He has also admitted to driving by the house and checking to see if I was home. Another time, I caught him leaving the neighborhood when I was not at the home."

'Internal Affairs Investigation Remains Underway:' City Manager Beatty

Last week, Joliet Patch submitted the following questions to Beatty. Here are her responses:

Joliet Patch: Does the City of Joliet plan to keep Pete Ranstead on paid administrative leave indefinitely?

Beatty: "Detective Ranstead remains on paid administrative leave at this time. His leave status is evaluated in accordance with City of Joliet Police Department policy and provisions within his collective bargaining agreement."

Patch: "Why hasn't Ranstead been brought back to work and given administrative office assignments or desk duties as the City of Joliet did in the past with other officers charged with crimes such as Erin Zilka, Nick Crowley, and Sgt. Javier Esqueda?"

Beatty: "Each case is reviewed individually, and circumstances can differ depending on the nature of the charges, the ongoing criminal proceedings, and department’s operational needs."

Patch: "What's the status of any internal affairs investigation for Ranstead? Has nearly a full year passed without an internal affairs investigation taking place?"

Beatty: "An internal affairs investigation remains underway at this time."

Patch: "How long does the City of Joliet intend to keep Ranstead on paid administrative leave from the Police Department?"

Beatty: "Detective Ranstead’s employment status is reviewed as the judicial process moves forward, remaining consistent with contractual and policy requirements."

Patch: "Is there anything else the City of Joliet would want to disclose in regard to Ranstead's work status for Joliet at this point in time?"

Beatty: "At this time, there are no additional details to provide beyond confirming that Detective Ranstead remains on paid administrative leave."

Anna Rose Bertani: 'I Don't Think He Should Have Been Charged'

Last week, Joliet Patch interviewed Joliet criminal defense attorney Anna Rose Bertani, daughter of Illinois Third District Court of Appeals Judge Matthew Bertani. At downtown Joliet's Tomczak Law Group, she is the lead counsel for the Joliet police detective's criminal case taking place at the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville. Bertani joined the law firm one year ago. She worked as a Will County Public Defender from 2021 until 2024.

At this point, Ranstead still does not have a trial date set. A hearing on pretrial motions has been set for Nov. 6, according to Anna Rose Bertani.

"We're hopeful for a quick trial date in Kendall County," Bertani remarked, cautioning that she did not know what other cases the judge already had on the court's calendar.

As for her client, "we are maintaining his innocence and look forward to a vigorous defense in his trial and a successful result," Bertani proclaimed.

Patch asked if Bertani would seek a bench trial in front of the judge or opt for a jury of 12 registered voters from Kendall County.

"At this point, I'm leaning jury, but obviously, things could change and it's just up to my client. Obviously, I don't think he should have been charged based on everything I know that has come out," Bertani informed Joliet Patch.

In May's order of protection, Ranstead's wife described her version of the events leading to her husband's criminal charges.

"In September of 2024, Peter and I got into an argument that led to him pushing me through our bedroom doorway and I fell and hit my head and back against an adjacent doorframe. I then stood up and realized I was bleeding and I was in fear of my son's safety as he was in the bedroom, which I had been pushed out of. I then tried to call the police when Pete took the phone and hung up. I called back as Pete left."

Within days of Ranstead's arrest, Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans issued a press release, announcing "the Joliet Police Department holds itself to the highest standards of integrity and accountability. When these standards are not met, we not only compromise our legitimacy but also erode the public’s trust."

Evans' statement went on to add that, "When any officer fails to uphold these principles, it diminishes the hard work and dedication of all those who serve honorably. Our duty stands now to remain committed to transparency and impartiality and ensure that justice is served.”

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Officer Zilka, Sgt. Esqueda About To Start Work At City Hall

Mayor Criticizes Police Chief's Handling Of Crowley Case