Peace Officers, Public Trust: A Five-Year Reform Plan for Joliet
Calling for help should bring a response that protects life and treats people with dignity. The Illinois Attorney General's December 2024 investigation identified systemic failures at JPD involving unreasonable force, discrimination, crisis response, and accountability. We call for a five-year Peace Officers, Public Trust plan with continuing practical training, independent oversight, stronger crisis services, restorative justice options, and public results. Progress must be measured in safer encounters and accountable conduct.
Image credits- Five years. Clear milestones.
- Training that continues
- Safer crisis response
- Independent public audits
The request
We ask the Mayor and Joliet City Council to adopt "Peace Officers, Public Trust," a funded 60-month reform plan beginning on adoption, implemented by the City Manager and Police Chief. Within 90 days, hold a public hearing and appoint an independent evaluator to establish a baseline against the Illinois Attorney General's 2024 findings, credit completed reforms, identify gaps, and set targets. Within 180 days, publish the budget, timetable, and assigned officials. YEAR 1: Update force, medical-aid, intervention, complaint, and anti-retaliation policies. Begin outside-led de-escalation, crisis-response, procedural-justice, and survivor-response training. Establish civilian input and English/Spanish complaint channels. YEAR 2: Complete initial training for covered staff, with leave exceptions and return-to-duty requirements. Expand clinician partnerships and civilian crisis services. Pilot voluntary restorative justice with independent facilitators, informed consent, and victim safeguards. YEAR 3: Publish an independent audit of outcomes, disparities, complaints, supervision, and early-intervention follow-up. Require a public corrective plan within 60 days. YEAR 4: Expand approaches supported by local results. Reassess ineffective practices and evaluate supervisors' coaching, force review, and discipline. YEAR 5: Publish an independent evaluation and adopt a funded continuation plan. THROUGHOUT: Require annual refreshers, quarterly scenario practice, competency checks and remediation, officer wellness support, and outside review of deaths and serious force incidents within lawful authority. Publish quarterly scorecards and annual spending. Protect complainants, whistleblowers, due process, and privacy. Restorative justice must not replace required investigations or discipline. Compare outcomes with baseline data and service demand; fewer complaints alone cannot establish success. Continue training and accountability after year five.