Cities of Du Quoin, Mount Vernon issue joint statement: No such thing as professonal courtesy

The cities of Mount Vernon and Du Quoin would like to clarify their positions regarding recent unrelated events regarding their law enforcement policies in dealing with police officers representing other jurisdictions. It is believed by some that officers violating laws in other communities are extended "professional courtesy" and not subject to arrest or prosecution.

An event occurred in Mount Vernon on Dec. 26,2013 where an individual who is an officer employed by the City of Du Quoin allegedly committed minor acts that could have resulted in an arrest and possible charges. Unfortunately, representatives of the Mount Vernon Police Department inappropriately chose to not practice accepted procedures and released the individual.

An unrelated event occurred in Du Quoin on Feb. 8, 2014 where an individual who is a spouse of an officer employed by the City of Mount Vernon allegedly committed minor acts that could have resulted in an arrest and possible charges. Unfortunately, representatives of the Du Quoin Department inappropriately chose to not practice accepted procedures and released the individual.

All employees representing both departments who utilized poor judgment in these matters have been disciplined accordingly and all officers in these respective cities have been reminded that unwritten policies of "professional courtesy" are not accepted practices of the Cities of Mount Vernon and Du Quoin. The Cities of Du Quoin and Mount Vernon believe that the only professional courtesy to be extended by police officers is to act appropriately when in other jurisdictions and if unable to do so, that they will be subject to the same policies that are placed on the general public.