Wolff coments on new public safety legislation
<span>Referred to as "landmark" legislation, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the Police and Community Involvement Act on Aug. 12.</span>
<span>Also known as Senate Bill 1304, the bill reportedly makes Illinois the first state in the nation to pass comprehensive legislation that creates new guidelines and police procedures for everything from the utilization of body cameras to reporting requirements for officers when making stops or arrests.</span>
<span>"Today we are taking steps to strengthen the relationship between our law enforcement officers and the public they protect with the Police and Community Improvement Act," Rauner said in a prepared statement issued the day of the signing. "As a society, we must ensure the safety of both the public and law enforcement.</span>
<span>"SB 1304 establishes new and important guidelines and training for police departments and their officers, while protecting the public by prohibiting officers from using excessive force."</span>
<span>The 174-page bill contains 200 separate pieces of legislation intended to reform current procedures.</span>
<span>The bill doesn't make body cameras mandatory, but does specify how long they should be worn (all times when the officer is in uniform), when they should be turned on (30 seconds before an encounter with the public) and how long recorded videos should be kept (90 days unless flagged as part of an investigation).</span>
<span>"I'm not opposed to it," said Randolph County Sheriff Shannon Wolff said of the body cameras. "As long as there's a policy in place and (cameras) are expensive.</span>
<span>"The in-car cameras break a lot. They're hard to keep functioning."</span>
<span>The bill also establishes guidelines on monthly reporting to the Department of State Police. Beginning January 1, 2016, all law enforcement agencies shall submit a report on any arrest-related death that includes information on the deceased, the officer involved, any weapon used by the officer or deceased, as well as the circumstances surrounding the incident.</span>
<span>Beginning January 1, 2017, monthly reporting of any instances involving an officer discharging his or her firearm and causing non-fatal injury to a person will be required.</span>
<span>Criminal homicide, hate crimes, domestic crimes and incidents reported by school personnel to law enforcement (including drugs) are also included in the new monthly reporting system.</span>
<span>To ensure adherence to the new guidelines, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board will judge compliance in reporting as a factor in determining the issuance of any grant funding as part of the Law Enforcement Camera Grant Act.</span>
<span>"I think it's great for the office to have transparency," Wolff said. "Ultimately, the camera doesn't lie. You see exactly what happens.</span>
<span>"I have no problem with our guys learning; I completely trust them to do the right things. It helps protect the county from liability too."</span>
<span>Both Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey and Steeleville Police Chief Lyn Thies said they had not fully read the new legislation as of the Herald Tribune's press deadline.</span>