Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Yet another loss for a Tom DeVore client
Next Post: Uproar over ISBE’s “culturally responsive” teaching standards
Posted in:
* CBS 2…
Concerns were mounting Wednesday over a criminal justice reform bill awaiting the governor’s signature.
As CBS 2’s Jermont Terry reported Wednesday night, the bill has one north suburban police chief threatening to yank body cameras from cops. […]
“This bill includes brand-new language, called the law enforcement misconduct, which defines that an officer who fails to comply with any part of the Body-Worn Camera Act – state law – they are per se committing a Class 3 felony,” [Vernon Hills police Chief Patrick Kreis] said. “Never before have I seen a case where a law is passed that criminalizes the act of violating a department policy.” […]
Currently, officers can review body cameras to help write detailed reports. But that too would be banned.
“It really changes like the dynamic for the work product the officers are going to put out,” Jones said.
As is so often the case with recent reporting on this particular topic, not a single proponent was mentioned in the story, so I reached out to sponsoring Sen. Elgie Sims about why officers aren’t allowed under this bill to use cam footage to write their reports. His texted reply…
Supervisors are allowed to review the reports. And furthermore when a member of the public makes a complaint, they can’t review the data before making their complaints. This provision treats law enforcement the same way.
* Vernon Hills police Chief Patrick Kreis was eagerly spreading hype and fear in 2019…
Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick Kreis said that based on what he’s heard from states where recreational marijuana is legal, local authorities will have a real challenge on their hands.
“Hospitalizations due to overconsumption of cannabis skyrocket,” he said. “The dispensary locations have been riddled with complaints connected with the odor.”
Point being, Kreis might be right now, but I’d take anything this police chief says with a grain of salt considering what he was saying two years ago.
* Related…
* Crime survivors say parts of sweeping reform bill help reduce their trauma and allow them to ‘move on to the next stage in your life’ - While much of the focus on the sweeping bill has involved law enforcement objections and responses from legislative sponsors, groups representing crime victims and their loved ones have largely been celebrating its passage.
*** UPDATE *** Some links from comments…
* 22 police shootings in Chicago this year — and no audio in any
* Chicago police are destroying their own dashboard cameras
* Key Body Camera Footage Missing After Chicago Police Officers Raid Wrong Homes, Point Guns At Children
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:19 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Yet another loss for a Tom DeVore client
Next Post: Uproar over ISBE’s “culturally responsive” teaching standards
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Agree…1-5 jail,loss of job and pension for what could amount to not turning a camera on??? Kinda harsh no???
Comment by Masked Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:29 am
I’m old enough to remember that legal weed was going to be one of the biggest stories and worries of 2020.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:30 am
=== based on what he’s heard ===
It never stops being troubling when police chiefs try to use what amounts to rumors to justify their fear-mongering claims.
For a segment of the population that is supposed to be well trained on the concept of evidence, he doesn’t seem to be aware that he is damaging his own reputation and professionalism in the eyes of the public.
I expect this type of nonsense from an elected sheriff position. But coming from a police chief who is hired specifically based on qualifications makes me now also wonder about the judgement of those who appointed him into that position. That would be the reputation of the mayor of Vernon Hills he’s also dragging through the mud.
If I was the mayor of Vernon Hills, I’d now be thinking about this chiefs employment status with the village going forward.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:31 am
What is that story about the boy who called wolf?
Comment by very old soil Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:33 am
=== based on what he’s heard ===
He should stop listening to the voices in his head and seek professional help.
Comment by Third Reading Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:33 am
==Hospitalizations due to overconsumption…complaints connected with the odor.”
Not to mention the pilfering of sweet/salty snacks from local markets and overconsumption of pizza. /S
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:35 am
Another total fail by the Legislature. Criminalizing an act that could be accidental, as well as prohibiting officers from reviewing a public record to write an accurate report (which could be compared against the video to find discrepanices)? Nothing like stacking the deck against the many fine officers throughout the State in the name of “justice”.
Comment by thisjustinagain Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:38 am
Oh dear, they wouldn’t be able to shoot nearly as many people If it could be proved there was no reason to shoot them.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:46 am
The real issue with non-review of video policies, is that it builds in automatic impeachment which favors a defendant at trial.
Police, victims, and defendants all experience the same issues with memory during traumatic or dramatic events. There is nothing nefarious with reviewing video for accuracy. What I would advise the author of the report to do, is write the report, then review the video. If there is a discrepancy, write a supplementary report. Complainants can watch video. Heck, many times they are recording the alleged misbehavior themselves. What I’ve outlined is not prohibited by the language of the bill. So, I’m unsure of what this really accomplishes.
Comment by miso Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:47 am
The reality is, police have tremendous power that the rest of us do not have. We have seen, time and again, that many officers are perfectly fine with abusing that power themselves, or with their colleagues abusing it.
If police departments had taken a look at their own actions, publicly acknowledged the need for reform, and then actually done something about it, we wouldn’t be here. With a few exceptions, they didn’t do that, so here we are.
Comment by Actual Red Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:51 am
==Nothing like stacking the deck==
The part about not allowing officers to review bodycam footage when writing a report seems to unstack the deck against citizens who are treated in the same way. I keep trying to understand why officers, both the fine and the not so fine, should be allowed privileges that the citizens they have sworn to protect are not allowed. If there’s nothing to hide, then camera footage shouldn’t be an issue and should actually help officers deal with any false accusations of misconduct. Granted, I don’t have a camera with me when I do my job, but my career field also doesn’t involve the murdering of innocent people, all in the name of “serve and protect”.
Comment by EssentialWorkingMom Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:54 am
==Criminalizing an act that could be accidental==
Like when the officers were discussing the raid outside Anjanette Young’s house or when Maurice Hill got shot in Ohio?
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:54 am
The bodycam footage is part of the public record and shoud be available to both officers and the public at the same time…within 24 hours of being filmed.
Comment by Froganon Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 11:02 am
=The reality is, police have tremendous power that the rest of us do not have=
Police depts answers to local elected Boards/Trustees. They only have the power that they are given by the consent of the governed. Get involved - attend Board meetings, take part in the citizen’s police academy, write a letter to the editor, advocate for local policy changes, run for local office….
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 11:05 am
In defense of the chief, hospitalizations did skyrocket this past year, which came after Illinois legalized recreational cannabis.
Of course one had nothing to do with the other, but his prediction came true nonetheless.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 11:07 am
===Police depts answers to local elected===
And the state creates and regulates local governments.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 11:10 am
Anything that leads to transparency and not being able to “stack the deck” so to speak regarding the interaction of law enforcement and the public should be welcomed. The sad truth is that change needs to happen and this change comes at the expense of business as usual and making those that have been working behind a cloak of darkness to be open and accept responsibility for any and all actions taken. It’s going to take a long time and will require finding the right people for a new type of policing. It’s going to take a long time to change mindsets and to rearrange funding to meet the needs and standards that the public expects of those that are supposed to enforce the law.
One thing that seems to be common today is a firearm out and shouting commands in a situation that quite possibly might be defused if other means or training was available.
Militarization of our local law enforcement has been going on for years and this too will need to change if we expect diferent outcomes.
Defunding law enforcement is certainly not an answer but comprehensive reform has to start someplace and if this is the beginning, it’s going to be a very painful process for those that believe that the old ways of doing things need to stay in place. Law officers should feel safer with a body cam if they do their job correctly.
The seismic shift that needs to happen is that if there is no camera, the weight of the evidence in a trial is weighted toward the defendent. This is supposed to be the case but as we know, most believe that you must have done something to be in trouble. As we know, this isn’t always the case.
Comment by Jersey County Resident Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 11:40 am
== The part about not allowing officers to review bodycam footage when writing a report seems to unstack the deck against citizens who are treated in the same way.==
This is completely false. The public/citizens can FOIA the video. There is absolutely no logical reason to now allow officers to review their body camera footage when completing reports. The state’s attorney will get it, the defendant will get it, the defense attorney will get it, and anyone who files a FOIA will get it. There is only one real reason behind this, and that is to attempt to generate a discrepancy between the officer’s written report and the body cam footage. The hope the officer will make a mistake or forget something when they’re completing their report hours later after a high-stress incident. This needs to be removed from the bill, there’s no value of this to anyone who seeks honesty.
Comment by DownstateLEO Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 11:58 am
@Doenstate LEO
The FOIA to get the tape showing the execution of LaQuan McDonald took 13 months. Police officers anywhere do not have the red tape that the general public has. I think gives victims of police violence a greater chance at justice, because they’re given somewhat more equal ground with the officers who get first take on the story.
Comment by Commisar Gritty Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:05 pm
== There is only one real reason behind this, and that is to attempt to generate a discrepancy between the officer’s written report and the body cam footage. ==
Yep. A plaintiff attorney’s dream. And an opening for any prosecutor who wants to charge a cop with filing a false report. That’s exactly why it’s in the bill. Some see it as a bug, many see it as a feature. I would argue those who see it as a feature are being a little intellectually dishonest about the intent.
Comment by Telly Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:11 pm
Maybe he should run for office. Seems like he wants to talk about political issues a lot.
Comment by CitizensArrest Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:13 pm
- thisjustinagain - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:38 am:
This is accidental?
https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/28/10859288/chicago-police-sabotage-dashboard-body-cameras
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:18 pm
- thisjustinagain - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 10:38 am:
This is accidental?
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/05/04/key-body-camera-footage-missing-after-chicago-police-officers-raid-wrong-homes-point-guns-at-children/
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:22 pm
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:22 pm:
80% of dashcams having audio turned off is accidental? Only 14% of shootings having police video is accidental?
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20151221/loop/80-percent-of-chicago-police-dashcams-dont-properly-record-audio/
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:24 pm
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:24 pm:
This was accidental? Throwing microphones on the roof of the station? Must happen to you all the time, right after Santa comes down the chimney and you buy bridges in Brooklyn.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2015/12/19/18551960/22-police-shootings-in-chicago-this-year-and-no-audio-in-any
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:26 pm
Common theme —- CHICAGO. This crap doesn’t happen at the frequency it does in Chicago. Fix the problem there.
Comment by DownstateLEO Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:45 pm
Why not let Chicago be a pilot program? Let see how it works?
Comment by Swimdad13 Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:50 pm
=== This crap doesn’t happen at the frequency it does in Chicago ===
Yikes. You not hearing about it anywhere else doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.
Similar to the fat that the largest monetary corruption in the history of the state wasn’t in Chicago. It was in tiny Dixon Illinois.
The only thing keeping most of rural Illinois from being seen as corrupt, is the lack of local states attorneys prosecuting the crimes. Most locals don’t think there is corruption in their small towns, so they don’t look. Chicago in comparison has millions of eyes on it looking at everything. You put that same number of eyes on any small town, and most of the officials would probably be in prison.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 1:59 pm
Cheers to Precicnt Captain for bringing his notes today. Hard to argue with those numbers.
Comment by Commisar Gritty Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 2:06 pm
===doesn’t happen at the frequency it does in Chicago===
It doesn’t get reported as much by the news media, is all we can say for sure.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 2:09 pm
Lets not stop there. Let’s require marked vehicles, uniforms, and body cameras for ALL police regardless of assignment. That’s true transparency and real reform.
Comment by Kayak Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 2:46 pm
Downstate LEO so a suspect is at the police station talking about what occurred in the police interaction, makes an incorrect statement (as they too went through a stressful time) they can get hit with the added charge of lying to the police. But because they’re a suspect they can’t see video until their lawyer FOIA’s the camera? In the meantime the officer has adjusted their report to fit the body camera. Talked with their buddies to review their body cameras on anything that may or may not fit the narrative. And had time to get other officers to back up their stories while all watching the tape? Probably has never happened like that? I mean cops always let supervisors know when another cop has overstepped the line.
Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:29 pm
Well, there may not be any police to fund.
Comment by Swimdad13 Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:36 pm
=== Well, there may not be any police to fund.===
Did you read that on Facebook or…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 3:38 pm
There is a solution to dash cams and audio systems not working in a squad car - charge the last user of the car with destruction of property.
If cops are required to have a body armor and functional firearm to adequately perform their job, it is reasonable to require them to have a functional body cam, dash cam and audio equipment.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 4:01 pm
==there may not be any police to fund==
Only the off-duty ones that decided to enter the capitol on January 6th.
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 4:02 pm
=Only the off-duty ones that decided to enter the capitol on January 6th=
Weren’t those POLICE OFFICERS defending the Capital on Jan 6th? I always get the two mixed up. Sorry?
Comment by Swimdad13 Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 4:12 pm
=== I always get the two mixed up. Sorry?===
It’s ok. Keep up.
Some even posed with the insurrectionists.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 4:16 pm
until law enforcement personnel have “financial skin” in the game nothing is going to change. Make it cost pensions and pension payouts and it will change
Comment by truthteller Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 5:34 pm
Changing the status quo, which currently puts police officers who abuse the law and their oath before the civil rights of black people, is not on the top of this guy or most law enforcement leadership’s lists. This is why we need to pass laws to bring change.
Comment by Shytown Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 6:23 pm
“Supervisors are allowed to review the reports. And furthermore when a member of the public makes a complaint, they can’t review the data before making their complaints. This provision treats law enforcement the same way.”
_________
The problem is this blankets every police report not just those related to a complaint, statements made by suspects, witnesses, and victims included. If the public has a cell phone video of an incident they can review it, but the police body cam footage can’t? The penalty for an officer misrepresenting information in a police report is now a Class 3 Felony while a false complaint made by the public is a….oh wait, he conveniently struck that out so there is not penalty. Not quite the same is it?
Comment by Common Sense Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 9:26 pm
A society that chooses to go to war against it’s police better make friends with it’s criminals.
Comment by Watching from the sidelines Tuesday, Feb 2, 21 @ 11:48 pm
Someone tell me, will the criminals follow the same rules put on them by lawmakers to regulate their behavior? Oh, wait. They already haven’t. That’s WHY we have police. …to protect you and your family from people that cannot follow laws. But rest assured, when the police have all been “defunded” and have gone away, the criminals will protect you…or rob and kill you, whichever suits them. Either way you’ll be safer, right?
Comment by Watching from the sidelines Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 12:29 am