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Macomb Police Seeking Peer Approval

Rich Egger

Rich Egger's guest is Macomb Police Lieutenant Jeff Hamer. They talk about the on-site assessment that will take place at the police department August 13 - 15.

Two trained assessors from the Illinois Chiefs of Police Association will examine the department to determine whether it should be accredited through the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP). The department will be graded on 71 professional standards.

"Very few agencies invite that sort of open critique. To have the finger pointed back at them," said Hamer. "I think for us as an agency it demonstrates that we're willing to do that. We're willing to make some changes and modernize ourselves and update ourselves in the areas that we need."

He said Macomb has a good police department that's making a push to be great.

Members of the public can speak privately with the assessment team by calling it on Wednesday, August 15, from 9:00 am - 10:30 am. Dial 309-833-4505, press 0 when prompted and tell the dispatcher you would like to speak with the on-site team.

"They can voice their issues, concerns, questions, positive and maybe even negative experiences with the Macomb Police Department. The assessment workers will be in their private work area. It's not going to be monitored by anybody on the police department," Hamer said. He added callers can remain anonymous if they choose.

Feedback can also be provided by e-mailing ileap@macombpolice.com or by going to the Macomb Police Department'swebsite or Facebook page.

Hamer said nine departments in the state are accredited through the Illinois Chiefs of Police Association, which began doing accreditations three years ago. The on-site assessment team's exit interview with members of the Macomb Police Department should give the agency a pretty good idea whether it will receive the designation.  The final determination will be made by the association's ILEAP Council.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.