© 2024 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New Illinois Law Called Landmark Regarding Police Reporting

Law Enforcement Officer
reddirtreport.com
Police Body Camera

Getting a speeding ticket in Illinois will cost you an extra five dollars. It's part of a new state law regulating police body cameras.

A year after Ferguson, Missouri erupted in protests following the shooting of Michael Brown ... Illinois has a law that's described as "landmark."

That $5 tacked onto traffic citations will be used to create a fund, that police departments can draw on to pay for the cameras.

Once they get them ... the law sets standards for their use.

Representative Jehan Gordon Booth ... a Democrat from Peoria ... says the law will make transparent interactions between the officers and the communities they police.

"Having these body cameras is going to completely open up an eye to the general public as it relates to what police actually deal with on a day-to-day basis. There may be occurrences where there was malfeasance. There may be occurrences where there weren’t. Now there won't be a question.”

The law requires mandatory training on use of force and cultural competency, and establishes a database of officers fired for misconduct.

It does not require all police to wear and use cameras.

As a WSIU donor, you don’t simply watch or listen to public media programs, you are a partner. By making a gift, you help WSIU produce, purchase, and broadcast programs you care about and enjoy – every day of the year.