Champaign officer followed city policies, Illinois State Police say
STATEMENT BY ILLINOIS STATE POLICE REGARDING CHAMPAIGN OFFICER AND PEDESTRIAN INVOLVED INCIDENT
CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois State Police has completed a review regarding an incident that occurred on June 5, 2011, at approximately 2:30 a.m., at 4th and Green Street in Champaign, Illinois.
At the request of Champaign City Officials, and the Champaign County State's Attorney's Office, Illinois State Police completed an independent review on November 22, 2011, of the Champaign Police Department's Use of Force Investigation.
Based on the Use of Force Investigation completed by the Champaign Police Department, Illinois State Police Officials have concluded that the officer followed Department policy under the Champaign Police Department's Use of Force model. Based upon these findings, the Illinois State Police will conduct no further review of the matter.
Champaign Police Department policy states that the use of OC spray "is intended to be used primarily against unarmed subjects who officers reasonably believe have indicated physically and/or verbally that they intend to resist arrest or assault an officer or other person."
The officer was on routine patrol in the area of 5th and Green Street having responded to a reported fight in progress. The officer observed a group in the intersection of 4th and Green against the traffic signal, disrupting traffic. The officer approached the group, and directed the group to relocate. A pedestrian refused the officer's command and became combative, resisting the officer's attempt to make an arrest. The officer followed department policy and used the appropriate technique to gain compliance without injury to himself or the subject taken into custody.
"For every law enforcement agency, safety is always the top priority and law enforcement officials are concerned anytime the safety of the public or police is compromised. However, based on the Champaign Police Department's investigative reports, the officer appropriately contained a resistive subject and followed department policy," said ISP Region 3 Commander Todd Kilby.
"The Champaign Police Department conducted a thorough investigation and based on the findings from the Champaign Police Department's investigation and the ISP independent review, it has been determined that the officer's actions were within department guidelines," Kilby added.
As if it were needed, this is further proof that the police cannot be expected to police the police. We need a police review board.
On a side note, the story's been picked up by The Atlantic.
Just because you don't like the answer - you want someone fired. This is life, things don't always go the way that you want.
Once again, the police followed their own rules.
If you don't like the police in this community, maybe you can move to another town where you will be happier.
Once again, thank you to the Champaign Police for serving and protecting.
Im calling for his resignation because he voiced his personal opionions about this case and had already rushed to judgement before the ISP finding came out. I am calling for his resignation for not supporting his own employees. I do support CPD and believed they acted appropriatly. But thanks for telling me to get out of town.
People can't safely walk down the sidewalk at night anywhere in Champaign. At least once a week I hear about someone I know or indirectly know getting robbed. 15 year old kids walk down the middle of the street refusing to move for cars. People fight the cops and then become local celebrities.
And still I see more people bashing the police then the p.o.s. causing all the crime. I'm a fit 26 year old male and I feel like I have a 50/50 chance of getting stabbed if I walk to the gas station for a pop after 9PM no matter what part of town I'm in. How do you think the police officers feel now that they have to deal with all these crazy disrespectful criminals, plus the public is criticizing their every move?
Maybe when you break the law you should deal with the consequences instead of fighting the cop who is doing his job. If not, the cop has the right to punch you in your 18 year old face for grabbing for his duty belt, or mace you in the face if you can't sit your *** in the squad car until you're released.
But its always someone elses fault, especially those guys who have to wear a bullet proof vest to work so they don't get killed before the end of their shift.
I support the CPD, not the criminals.
I agree completely they did their job the best they can. All you band wagon racism chasers can post your conspiracy thoeries and what ifs but what I see after watching the whole video is an officer that done his job. He turned his camera as he was supposed to, to protect himself and the conspiracy rats. If you refuse to obey commands its no longer a peaceful flower patch walk you people are trying to defend. And theirs something called a Terry Frisk read it. Terry V. Ohio. Case closed.
I do not agree at all with this decision as a matter of fact this is a bunch of BS!! It was clearly shown on the tape that this kid was merely walking down Green st. Now if the boy did jaywalk ok fine so be it he has a ticket for that BUT the fact still remains that he was assulted because the officer wanted him to shut up. Ok but who is he to make someone shut up? This is a free country where you can talk as much as you want and if you do not like what is being said so be it!!! If the officer would have taken him to the county jail instead of pulling in a parking lot then he would not have had to here his mouth. I agree with the fact that the Kids are out of hand but in no way shape or form shope force of this matter should have been used black, white, asian or whatever race they may have been. if it was you child how would you feel the boy contiuosly asked the officer whatb did he do....did he tell him??? Heck no I think you may want to view that again. This whole town if full of BS and will not be satisfied until the CPD is paying out huge sums of money for their excessive unneccesarry force. Julia Reiz is one tough cookie now if she did not agree WTH is really going on???
"I'm a fit 26 year old male and I feel like I have a 50/50 chance of getting stabbed if I walk to the gas station for a pop after 9PM no matter what part of town I'm in."
Well, then you're delusional and paranoid. There are a few areas of town where I would probably not want to walk at night, but the vast majority of C-U neighborhoods are extremely safe at all times day or night.
If the City Manager and the Mayor dont suppport law enforcement they should both resign, the police handled this suspect appropriately, I see the same attention seeking disrespectful out of control behavior from high schoolers every day, we never had this level of back stabbing the police when Scwheighart was mayor
It is clear that the Mayor is pandering to Mr. Miller and his group from the IMC. Perhaps we can figure out a way to have a recall vote. After all in one week, the Mayor has managed to alienate the Police department and the law abiding citizens, along with increase our taxes. Good job for this week Mr. mayor... Whats up for next week?
yup Mayor Schweighart would have accepted the results of the outside review and moved along with city business, he wouldnt have allowed this ever expanding circus to continue, he would have shown real leadership and backed the police and nipped this ridiculousness in the bud, maybe next elections signs should read "Gerard/Miller"
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