Carbondale Reporter

At the Jan. 21 House Public Safety and Violence Prevention task force hearing regarding law enforcement, state Rep. Pat Windhorst (R-Metropolis) asked Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchell Davis what could be done by lawmakers to boost recruitment and retention of police officers.  

“From my perspective, one of the main things for recruitment and retention is going to be the dialogue,” Davis responded. “We can talk about making law enforcement better without folks condemning law enforcement. No one wants to be painted by that broad-stroke brush.”

Another step, Davis said, would be to promote the profession of law enforcement. He said that over time, he has changed his ideas of what makes a good candidate. He told the hearing that it used to be a “big bruiser” who could break up bar fights, but noted when the officer then uses those traits while policing in the street, it shouldn’t come as a shock. 

“For me, the first thing I look for is the ability to empathize with folks,” Davis told the task force. “Having the ability to empathize means that it doesn’t matter where you come from or what community I put you in, you may not be able to relate to them directly but you have the ability to empathize. I need you to be able to communicate and problem solve. I can teach you how to fight, how to shoot, how to protect the community you serve.”

Republican state legislators are hearing from police chiefs in the state to assist them in their efforts   to repeal the SAFE-T Act. 

The criminal justice reform was passed on Jan. 13, 2021. Republicans claim the new law is driving more law enforcement professionals into retirement and is driving a rise in violence in communities. Windhorst, during the Jan. 21 hearing said that Republicans were not involved in discussions leading up to the passage of the SAFE-T Act. 

“Republicans were not included in that discussion which led to some of the frustration on our side,” he said.

As part of the SAFE-T Act, Illinois became one of just seven states to require its police officers to wear body cameras at all times. The law also requires officers to keep the cameras on whenever they are on duty or involved in any activity related to enforcement. 

The law requires body cameras for all officers in communities with a population of more than 500,000. It will expand to include smaller cities in 2025. 

Springfield Police Chief Kenny Winslow said that while his officers were at first hesitant to use the body cameras, they now won’t go on duty without them, gaining an appreciation for the technology and the case support they can provide.