The role of the Illinois City Police - Term Paper Example

The role of the Illinois Police Executive Summary. The role of a police officer in Illinois will be studied in three parts. Part willshow the history of the state, demographic and economic profile of the city; the Illinois Police Department history and organization. It will show the responsibilities of the state police as it responds to the Illinois population in 21 districts. Part 2 will show recruitment process in the ISP, and part 3, the crimes and scandals committed by ISP/. With the present number of police officers deployed in 21districts, how does it respond? Is the present ratio of police to population a sufficient guarantee of security to the population? Answers to these questions will come from an analytical review of news, reports and articles about the ISP and will form a valid conclusion to the report. Presentation of data Part I 1. The choice of Illinois State Police. Illinois has been chosen as the subject of this study because of my perception based on reports that the Illinois State Police (ISP) is one of the most efficient and modern police station in the country. I am interested to find out if this is a valid statement or not. The present population of Illinois is over 12 million, how does the ISP respond to the needs for security of this number in relation to their mission statements. The ISP has arrived at the following mission statements: We will strive for excellence in all we do -- seeking to be one of the premier policing agencies in the country The Illinois State Police will promote public safety to improve the quality of life in Illinois. Integrity - Trust and dependability to act responsibly Service - Contribute to the welfare of others Pride - Respect for self, others and the organization Safeguard the public by assisting law enforcement, decreasing traffic fatalities and injuries and reducing crime and the fear of crime. Provide leadership through innovation as a dynamic, diverse, learning organization which promotes personal and professional growth. 2. History of Illinois State (History.com) Early settlers of Illinois are Native Americans in 8000 B/C. and are known as Early Archaic Indians. Their form of survival was thru hunting of large animals, fishing and forages of seeds, roots, berries and nuts. They lived in caves along the Illinois River Valley. The history of Illinois began with the passage of a Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette and a Canadian explorer and mapmaker Louis Jolliet in 1673. This territory was ceded to Britain in 1763 under the terms of the Treaty of Paris concluding the French and Indian War. The US gained Illinois after the American Revolution, and became the 21st state on December 3, 1818. The famous 16th US President Abraham Lincoln was one of the residents of Illinois in 1861 In the following years, Illinois had a rapid growth of development combined with workers migration to the cities. The transportation system, rivers and canals were developed, and Chicago became the center of activities. Its mid-history was stormed by labor union strikes, but later on, in 1960s, Illinois had experienced the most expansive development in manufacturing. It was ranked number one in the field of manufacturing. In 1960s, Illinois has been manufacturing automobiles, tires and producing equipment for the U.S. space program. In the 19th century, Illinois has become a leader in manufacturing as well as in production of agricultural products.. Illinois became headline news when in 2000 Governor George H. Ryan called for a moratorium on executions after investigations showed that a significant number of death-row inmates had been wrongfully convicted. Ryan was a known supporter of capital punishments and his decision on holding of death penalties astonished many observers. (History.com) 3. Economic background of population Demographics and economic profile of Illinois State are shown below.(North Midwest Institute) . * The per capita income has increased from $26,449 in 1996 to $38,409 in 2006 * The GDP has increased from $29.348 in 1998 to $42,397 in 2008. * Population in 1980 is 11,427Mn and has grown to 12,902 in 2008 * Poverty rate in 2003 was 12.1 and has lowered to 10.1 in 2007 4. Employment status of population. The unemployment rate of the state is rising, as it has increased to 9.1% on March 2009 as compared to March 2008 of 6.0 % 5. Education level completed by population. As of 2000Literacy is high in Illinois; 81.4% attended high school and 26.1 with bachelor’s degree . 6. Racial descriptions The total population of Illinois as of 2008 is 12,902 million. Out of this, 67.8% is white, blacks is 14.95%; American Indian and Eskimos, 0.15% Asian 3.38% Hawaiian and Pacific Islander 0.03%; others 0.11; and two or more races 1.24%, Charts below show growth changes of population from 1960 to 2000 Source Source: Census Scope http://www.censusscope.org/us/s17/chart_race.html Population, 1960-2000 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Total 10,081,158 11,110,285 11,426,518 11,430,602 12,419,293 Change 1,029,127 316,233 4,084 988,691 Percent Change 10.21% 2.85% 0.04% 8.65% Source: Census Scope Part 2. The Illinois Police Department 7. Police Department History. The Illinois State Police was created on June 24, 1921 during the 52nd general assembly of the State of Illinois. Its primary purpose is to enforce the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Laws. Today, the Illinois Police has more than 3,000 sworn personnel and civilians and is said to be one of the most efficient and modern police organizations in the country. From being a traffic enforcer, the organization has developed into other service activities which include Operations, Forensic Services, Internal Investigation and Administration. The ISP aim is to serve Illinois with integrity and pride. ISP’s duties include protecting life and property, enforcing both criminal and vehicle safety laws, responding to emergencies and disasters, and other myriad of diverse specialized services to the public and for the criminal justice community. (wikipedia) Details of these services are described below: The Division of Operations services entail: aircraft support for enforcement and public assistance; vehicle investigations; underwater search and recovery operations; K-9 support for tracking and drug detection; presentations to the public on traffic safety and crime prevention; criminal investigations to detect and suppress the traffic of illicit drugs; develop strategic and tactical criminal intelligence data; investigate serious offenses; and apprehend fugitives. Operations also provides support to many county, municipal and federal law enforcement agencies. The efforts of both state and municipal police officers are supplemented by the Division of Forensic Services, providing crime scene services, polygraph services, background checks requisite to the purchase of firearms and strategically located crime laboratories. The Division of Internal Investigation specializes in investigating alleged misconduct, corruption, conflict of interest and malfeasance within any agency under the jurisdiction of the governor. The Division of Administration is responsible for administrative support required by all department entities and the operation of the Illinois State Police Academy. This division centralizes the departments vast communications network, data processing, fiscal, logistical, and personnel. The Illinois State Police Academy provides training to cadets, in-service education to troopers and a basic curriculum to state, county and municipal agencies. The shoulder patch worn by the Illinois State Police is symbolic of the integrity, service and pride of the organization. Source: Wikipedia 8. Level of education needed to become a police Officer To be eligible for becoming a police officer, a candidate must possess the following requirements: (Education Portal) A US citizen or permanent resident aliens who have applied for US Must be high school graduate or have completed G.E.D test Must be 21 years of age. must have a POST from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy or currently employed by a law enforcement agency. Must have a driver’s license and must pass written and oral tests. 9. First minority police officer and police woman in ISP Color and gender did not prohibit the ISP in hiring minority. The Chief of Police ---- said that skin color does not prohibit them from accepting applicants for becoming a police officer. It is the training, education and state of health that counts. As proof of his statement, the first black officer was sworn to office because he tops the qualified trained officers and his being black is only a plus factor, the Chief Police Office Donald Kaufner said. Wiley Berry, 24 years old is a graduate of the Police Training Institute where nearly all qualified police undertakes police training. (Daily Journal, Feb. 26, 2008) In another district, James Cherry was the first police officer sworn to office in Jackson in 1964. For some unknown reasons, he was readily accepted by the white community while the blacks rejected him. He recalled having a fight with the first black that he apprehended (Jacson Sun. Oct.1960) Alice Stebbin Wells was the first policewoman hired in 1910 by the Los Angeles Police Department. Her appointment as "policewoman," combined with founder and president of the International Association of Policewomen are considered pivotal points in history for women in policing. (Smith, Teunion) The first black woman who became first woman mounted police officer in Illinois is 31 year old Dawn Peter. Dawn’s love for animals and attraction inspired her to become a mounted police officer. However, she is not new on being a police officer, as she was a regular patrol and plain clothes officer for six years before becoming the first black woman mounted police officer. (Find Articles) 10. Pre-hiring procedures for a police recruit. When the applicant has met all the requirements for application, he must be ready to qualify for the next process for hiring.(Geocities) The second step is long and tedious. First, an applicant must pass the written examinations. Next is the agility test or P.O.W.E.R test It is called Police Officer’s Wellness Evaluation Report in Illinois and consist of sit-ups, bench press, sit and reach and 1.5 to 2 mile run. Applicant must undergo several other tests such as oral interview, polygraph examination, psychological examination, background screening and investigation, medical examination, police academy training, field officer training, and then the probationary period. 11. Once hired what is the training environment that recruits enter. After passing the series of examinations and test, the recruit will be sent to academy training and paid while undergoing training. An applicant must get at least 70 percent passing grade from academic subjects, and should also pass firearms, physical training or drivers training. A recruit will be dismissed from training if he failed on the training activities. Most of the police trainings are done at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. This center looks like a college campus; it has outdoor ranges and driving track, and could train 2000 recruits in any given day. Instructors are retired federal, state and local officers, and a contingent of active federal agents. New recruits are given the Criminal Investigator Training Program wherein they are provided training in the techniques of conducting criminal investigations. Courses of study include constitutional law, search and seizure, interviewing techniques, surveillance, undercover operations, arrest techniques, drivers training, defensive tactics, firearms and more. 12. Training for officers and managers after the academy. To qualify for promotions in supervisory positions, a police officer must have specialized experience, education and training. 13. Are police officers trained adequately and in your opinion what can be improved. I believe trainings given to police officers are adequate enough to pursue their duties. However, in view of reported police abuses, I think Psychology and human relations should be the subjects to be added to their curriculum. Police officers meet people in their day to day activity and they should be properly trained on these aspects. PART III 14. Scandals present or past that has affected the police department and the public perception. There are incidences of scandals and abuses done by the police, but only few will be mentioned here. * The hesitant actions of police officers to enforce expungement and sealing cases to 1,800 people, mostly African-Americans, mandated by the state judges in Chicago This lack of action brought problems on employment and subsequent integration of the blacks to society. An audit of unserved state orders for expungement and sealing cases was done and to know reasons why they were not served. (Virella, Kelly, March 2009). The Summerdale scandal in 1970 involving eight Chicago Police in a large scale burglary ring. A reorganization of the police force was done to bust the ring, and disciplinary actions were given to accused. (Jurezak, Ellen, May 24, 2007) * The use of excessive force to protesters of the Police during the 1968 Democratic National Convention which was contrary to the police code of discipline. (Wikepedia) * Tensions which developed due to racial prejudices of white police to the African American citizen. The worst reported case is that of Jon Burge who coerced more than 200 mostly African American men to confess to crimes from 1972 to 1991. Victims said they were beaten, suffocated with a plastic bag, burned by cigarette and radiator and treated with electric shock. (Truth in Justice) * Charges of robbery, kidnapping and rape has led to the disbanding of the Special Operations Section of the Chicago Police on October 10, 2007. (NPR, 2007) Discussions Education and training of recruits seem to be enough qualifications to become a police officer. However specialized training or advanced study such as masteral course should be required for officers who will be assigned to sensitive positions. Racial prejudice persists in early 1960s to 1970s; no evidence has been found in the present time. Abuses of police officer are due to the power that they have in their position. Ratio of police to population is too small. There are only 3,000 policemen serving over 12 million populations of Illinois. If the order of efficient ratio 1-4 to every 1,000 citizen is to be followed, there will be a need of more policemen in Illinois State Police. Disciplinary measures are too lenient which attract abuses of officers. Despite claims of abuses, Chicago Police has lower crime rate than its counterpart district. End. Word count 2,509 References Daily Journal. First black officer sworn to office. Daily Journal, Tuesday edition, Feb. 26, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2009, from http.//www.daily- Hwjournal.com/print_archive/a01-DJ_02262008-CMYK.pdf Education Portal. Requirements to become a police officer. Retrieved April 28, 2009 from http://education-portal.com/requirements_to_become_a_police_officer.html> Find Articles. Chicago woman becomes citys first black woman mounted police officer. Retrieved April 28, 2009 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n6_v92/ai_19566926/?tag=content Geocities. Police Hiring. Retrieved april 28, 2009 from http://www.geocities.com/porfi.geo/POLICEHIRING.HTM. Jackson Sun. (1960, Oct). Citys first black police officer recalls awkward time. Retrieved 28 April, 2009 from http://orig.jacksonsun.com/civilrights/sec5_policeofficer_cherry.shtml Jurezak, Ellen. 24 May 2007. Summerdale Scandal in 1970. 28 April 2009 http://www.bcochicago.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid NPR. 10 October 2007.Scandals Bring Down Chicagos Elite Police Unit. NPR.org. 27 April, 2009 www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15149792 Northeast Midwest Institute. Illinois State Economic Profile. Retrieved April 27,2009 from http://www.nemw.org/il.htm.> Smith, Teunion. The History of Women in Policing in America. History made everyday. Retrieved April 28, 2009 from http://www.history.com/states.do?action=detail&state=IL&contentType=State_Generic&contentId=54108. Truth in Justice. .Unspeakable acts of Jon Burge. Retrieved April 27, 2009 from www.truthinjustice.org/jon-burge.htm Virella Kelly. It is hereby ordered. The Chicago Reporter. Retrieved April 28,2009 from http://www.chicagoreporter.com/index.php/c/Cover%20Stories/d/It_is_Hereby_Ordered%E2%80%A6> Wikepedia. Illinois State Police. Retrieved April 28, 2009 from Wikipedia. 1968 Democratic National Convention protest activity. Retrieved April 27. 2009en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Democratic_National_Convention_protest_activity - 83k - ) Read More