E-mail could save the day for police

Kane County prosecutors are turning to a relatively simple tool - e-mail - to make sure police officers show up for court appearances when they're needed and stay home when they're not.

It might sound like a minor change in procedure, but it's one that officials say should save the county time, money and, least of all, paper.

Until recently, the state's attorney's office used a combination of formal notices, word-of-mouth and subpoenas to notify police when their testimony or expertise were required in court. But the process proved time-consuming and generally inefficient, given the unpredictable nature of life in the courthouse. Some officers would show up only to find out a hearing or trial had been delayed; others weren't given enough notice.

"It's a wildly ineffective way, and it costs money," State's Attorney John Barsanti said, noting many officers get overtime for appearances outside of their regular work hours. "We said, 'Let's see if we can bring this kicking and screaming into the 21st century.' "

It didn't happen overnight.

With an estimated 1,500 police officers in Kane County, the state's attorney's office has been working for 18 months to compile hundreds of e-mail addresses and discuss the new system with nearly three dozen police departments. The goal is to be able to reach any officer in the county on short notice to keep them apprised of the court schedule.

As of last week, only the Gilberts, Hampshire and Maple Park police departments, as well as two Illinois State Police districts, had not started using the system, Barsanti said.

"But we're very close to getting those people on it, too," he said. "Very close."

Linda Hagemann, Barsanti's police liaison, said the new system so far is getting positive feedback from local police, especially those in records-keeping and those who carry mobile devices and check e-mail throughout the day.

"It's worked out extremely well," Hagemann said. "It's much more efficient."

Barsanti's office says the change should cut paper notices by 80 percent, and already has reduced officer no-shows from about five a week to one a week.

"I think it's a step in the right direction," Barsanti said.

Police academy: Applications are being accepted for the St. Charles Police Department's annual Citizen's Police Academy, which returns March 2 through April 22.

Participants get a basic introduction to a variety of aspects of police work, from narcotics investigations to crime scene procedures, over eight weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Class meets from 7 to 9 p.m. at the city's police training room, 10 E. State Ave.

"The Citizen's Police Academy is meant to give its students a better understanding how the St. Charles Police Department operates," according to a news release. "The CPA has an added benefit of being a sounding board on how the police department is really meeting (the community's) needs."

Curriculum includes hands-on demonstrations of radar patrol, fingerprinting and the department's Firearms Training Simulator. The class is free and open to adults who live in St. Charles or do business there. High school juniors and seniors must receive the department's approval.

Applications are available at the police station, 2 State Ave., and at stcharlesil.gov/pd/programs. For more information, contact Police Officer Tim Beam at (630) 443-3730 or tbeam@stcharlesil.gov.