2023’s Best & Worst States to Be a Police Officer  [Illinois ranks 5th best.  I didn’t look at the criteria by which this conclusion was reached.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-be-a-cop/34669

95th annual St. Jude march takes off to remember fallen CPD officers [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/95th-annual-st-jude-march-takes-off-to-remember-fallen-cpd-officers/  .

Notes: WLS’s coverage:  http://abc7chicago.com/chicago-police-officer-killed-shot-areanah-preston/13220562/

Armed standoff ends with at least 4 arrested in fatal shooting of off-duty Chicago police officer [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/5/8/23715305/areanah-preston-chicago-cop-killing-arrests-chicago-police-department  

Notes: Other reports:  Off-duty Chicago officer killed in Avalon Park Saturday always wanted to be a cop, her father says http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20230506/off-duty-chicago-police-officer-killed-in-avalon-park-always-wanted-to-be-a-cop-father-says

Top cop’s wife coached slain officer’s high school cheerleading team: ‘She did not deserve this’ http://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2023/5/6/23713962/cop-killed-areanah-preston-saadi-carter-cheerleading-team-uic-college-prep-chicago-police-department

Prayer held for off-duty CPD cop shot to death near South Side home http://abc7chicago.com/chicago-shootings-this-weekend-police-officer-killed-violence/13220646/

Four arrested in weekend fatal shooting of off-duty CPD officer: Report http://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/4-arrested-in-fatal-shooting-of-cpds-areanah-preston

Chicago police officer responding to burglary call in Woodlawn is wounded in knife attack [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2023/5/7/23714763/chicago-police-officer-responding-to-burglary-call-in-woodlawn-is-wounded-in-knife-attack

Community service officers rescue multiple baby ducks that fell into sewer drain in Gurnee [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2023/05/05/community-service-officers-rescue-multiple-baby-ducks-that-fell-into-sewer-drain-in-gurnee/

COPA Releases Graphic Body Camera Video of Chicago Police Officer Fatally Shooting Reginald Clay Jr. [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://news.wttw.com/2023/05/03/copa-releases-graphic-body-camera-video-chicago-police-officer-fatally-shooting-reginald#.ZFQr2iRW8bY.twitter  

Cops drew weapons, had close call with teen playing paramilitary ‘Paranoia’ game: officials  [FYI.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/cops-drew-weapons-had-close-call-with-teen-playing-paranoia

Decatur Police swears in 7 new Patrol Officers [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://decaturil.gov/decatur-police-swears-in-7-new-patrol-officers/

Incoming Oswego village president says hiring new police chief will provide ‘first major test’ [Just FYI.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.shawlocal.com/kendall-county-now/2023/05/02/incoming-oswego-village-president-says-hiring-new-police-chief-will-provide-first-major-test/  

Kendall County Sheriff’s Office announces Employee of the Quarter [Deputy Paul Kubinski ] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.shawlocal.com/kendall-county-now/news/local/2023/05/06/kendall-county-sheriffs-office-announces-employee-of-the-quarter/  

Kendall County Sheriff’s Office hires new patrol deputy [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.shawlocal.com/kendall-county-now/2023/05/05/kendall-county-sheriffs-office-hires-new-patrol-deputy/  

[LISTEN] Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette returns to work after [prostate] cancer surgery [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.wmay.com/2023/05/05/listen-springfield-police-chief-ken-scarlette-returns-to-work-after-cancer-surgery/

Notes: Another way to convey the information:  Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette returns to work – says his prognosis is good but that he’s getting more tests soon http://www.wmay.com/2023/05/05/springfield-police-chief-ken-scarlette-returns-to-work-says-his-prognosis-is-good-but-that-hes-getting-more-tests-soon/

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office breaks ground on 12,000-square-foot training facility in Cary [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2023/05/07/mchenry-county-sheriffs-office-breaks-ground-on-12000-square-foot-training-facility-in-cary/

Daily Herald — may require registration . Bartlett PD has record turnout for Family Fishing Derby [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20230506/bartlett-pd-has-record-turnout-for-family-fishing-derby 

Mount Prospect police to hold beat meeting at Robert Frost School [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20230507/mount-prospect-police-to-hold-beat-meeting-at-robert-frost-school

Off-duty Wauconda and Holiday Hills police officer put in coma after being critically injured in head-on crash [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2023/05/03/off-duty-wauconda-and-holiday-hills-police-officer-put-in-coma-after-being-critically-injured-in-head-on-crash/

‘Old school, with integrity’: Retired CPD veteran Fred Waller will serve as Brandon Johnson’s interim police superintendent  [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/ex-police-veteran-will-become-chicagos-top-cop-temporarily

Police, paramedics called to rehabilitation facility in Lincolnshire after major staffing shortage [Don’t be surprised if there are more such cases.  There is a lot of understaffing (often due to lack of applicants) for caregivers.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2023/05/02/police-paramedics-called-to-rehabilitation-facility-in-lincolnshire-after-majority-of-staff-fail-to-show-up-for-work/

Sandwich hires former Normal police chief as interim chief  [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at:http://www.shawlocal.com/kendall-county-now/2023/05/02/sandwich-hires-former-normal-police-chief-as-interim-chief/

Suspicious package prompts bomb squad response, road closure near Harvard [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2023/05/06/suspicious-package-prompts-bomb-squad-response-road-closure-near-harvard/

Tragedy on I-55 sparks questions concerning civil and criminal liability for certain involved parties [Not strictly law enforcement, but a concern that could br important later.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.wmay.com/2023/05/02/tragedy-on-i-55-sparks-questions-concerning-civil-and-criminal-liability-for-certain-involved-parties/

Trial begins for man accused of shooting Decatur officer  [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.wandtv.com/news/trial-begins-for-man-accused-of-shooting-decatur-officer/article_406ca480-edd3-11ed-9fd8-93778193d420.html

Two New Bolingbrook Police Officers Begin Field Training  [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://patch.com/illinois/bolingbrook/two-new-bolingbrook-police-officers-begin-field-training

‘Good boy Danno’: Lake County sheriff’s canine tracks down missing suicidal man in Beach Park [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2023/05/06/good-boy-danno-lake-county-sheriffs-canine-tracks-down-missing-suicidal-man-in-beach-park/

From Ancel Glink’s Municipal Minute blog. Appellate Court Interprets “Average Salary” Calculation in Demoted Sergeant’s Application for Pension [Town of East Peoria[ [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://municipalminute.ancelglink.com/2023/05/appellate-court-interprets-average.html  

Alleged drunk driver crashes into two police cars, injuring officer at homicide scene in Waukegan [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2023/05/08/alleged-drunk-driver-crashes-into-two-police-cars-injuring-officer-at-homicide-scene-in-waukegan/

Notes: I think this is the crime being investigated:  ‘Horrific crime’: Police unsure whether Waukegan High School volleyball coach was intended target in fatal shooting https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2023/05/08/horrific-crime-police-unsure-whether-waukegan-high-school-volleyball-coach-was-intended-target-in-fatal-shooting/

Podcasts and Professional Development

Abstract from the journal Homicide Studies. “Not as Bad as the ‘90s”? Firearm Violence in Small, Mid-Size, and Large US Cities, 2015–2021 [Just FYI.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10887679231163287 .

April 2023 in Review : OJP Communications sent this bulletin at 05/03/2023  [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOJOJP_COMMS/bulletins/35843e6.

From Calibre Press. Front-Line Advice from a Chief Who Responded to the Parkland Massacre [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://calibrepress.com/2023/05/front-line-advice-from-a-chief-who-responded-to-the-parkland-massacre/  .

From the YourPoliceWrite blog. Misplaced Modifiers in Police Reports [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://www.yourpolicewrite.com/2023/05/08/misplaced-modifiers-in-police-reports/

From the YourPoliceWrite blog. Your Friday Quiz [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: https://www.yourpolicewrite.com/2023/05/05/your-friday-quiz-32/  .

Lexipol Webinar. Working Behind Bars: Developing the Correctional Officer: Wednesday, May 17 | 1 pm Eastern [60 Minutes] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://info.lexipol.com/webinar-developing-the-correctional-officer  .

On the Badge Boys Podcast. Retired police dispatcher talks about her career and shares stories from the other side of the 911 hotline [The guest’s story of her desire to be a police officer, in spite of her petiteness, led to her becoming a dispatcher is has contagious enthusiasm.  She goes on to talk about “First Responders Live”  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://starworldwidenetworks.com/episodes/retired-police-dispatcher-talks-about-her-career-and-shares-stories-from-the-other-side-of-the-911-hotline 

On the Law Enforcement Today Podcast. Jet Crash In The Hudson, NYPD Dive Team Police Officer. Cop’s Dark Sense Of Humor. [The guest talks about how the passengers were rescued from the sinking plane.  He gives special recognition to the ferryboat operators, who were the first ones to get there.  And the portmanteau word “Impecculate” ought to be in a dictionary!  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://omny.fm/shows/law-enforcement-today/miracle-on-the-hudson-nypd-dive-team-officer-polic  .

On the Law Enforcement Today Podcast. Violence on College Campuses. Police Officer Shot and Other Violent Crimes. The Often Forgotten Heroes That Are University Police Officers.  [Old Dominion in Norfolk, VA, was not a quiet college.  And how often do we think about what university police have to do.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://omny.fm/shows/law-enforcement-today/campus-police-officer-shot-and-other-violent-crime

Notes: Hos book [Huckless, Marc Ross. Campus Cop : The True Story of a Retired Campus Police Sergeant Who Worked at a Major Urban… State University. XULON PRESS 2023.] is available at these libraries:  https://worldcat.org/en/title/1378097568

On the Policing Matters Podcast. National Police Week: How NLEOMF and C.O.P.S. honor the fallen and serve the living [Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Fund.  She talks about the many things that the NLEOMF does, the services it provides, and the schedule for this year’s Police Memorial Week.  The organization is making itself the leading authority on law enforcement deaths, and is using the research to save lives.  The program concludes with an interview with Sara Slone, of COPS, who tells about its services.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://policingmatters.podbean.com/e/national-police-week-how-nleomf-and-cops-honor-the-fallen-and-serve-the-living/  .

On the Street Cop Podcast. Leading From The Bottom Up with Matthew Thomas [Chief Deputy of the Pinellas Co. Sheriff’s Office. The idea motivating the conversation is how to be an excellent police officer:  to look for “trouble.”  And to do things so right that the haters have nothing to complain about.  Toward the end, starting at about 50 min., they talk about what the guest had learned about what needs to be in a basic academy through having to run one.  It’s interesting to hear the ways those weaknesses were addressed.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/street-cop-podcast/episodes/Episode-818-Leading-From-The-Bottom-Up-with-Matthew-Thomas-e226eg6  .

Notes: His book about the Mexican drug cartels [Thomas Matthew. Interceptors : The Untold Fight against the Mexican Cartels. Publisher Not Identified 2022.] is available at these libraries:  https://worldcat.org/en/title/1371059140 .

On the Street Cop Podcast. Struggling With Recruitment”  Listen to This — with Xenophon Gikas and Joana Torres [The host had received a request for a class in recruitment,.  Instead, he interviewed a couple of officers who had requested the class, and they talk about what motivates potential officers to work for particular agencies, and what officers need to work successfully.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/street-cop-podcast/episodes/Episode-822-Struggling-With-Recruitment–Listen-to-This–with-Xenophon-Gikas–Joana-Torres-e23culv .

On the Within the Treeches Podcast. Sabrina, Supervisor with Hutchinson-Reno Co 911, KS. [She has two stories of calls she had taken that are particularly worth hearing.  In one, a seven-year-old has called to report a domestic shooting, and in the other, the caller reports a person with breathing problems, when the reason she isn’t breathing is because she had been run over by a car.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: https://withinthetrenches.libsyn.com/within-the-trenches-ep-475 .

Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Know Your Enemy: Building Construction for Firefighters  [The tip is intended for firefighters, about the importance of updating their knowledge to include new types of vehicles and new types of building construction.  The point, though, applies to any type of responder:  responses must change as the incidents to respond to change.  Watch for changes, and learn about how to react when they go wrong.  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at:http://www.lexipol.com/resources/todays-tips/building-construction-for-firefighters/   .

Via For the Blue. How to Respond to Hateful Attacks on Police [Might be helpful for future reference  SLC] [Web Page].  Accessed 5-8-2023. Available at: http://fortheblue.substack.com/p/how-to-respond-to-hateful-attacks .