Police officer should be fired for killing

An open letter to Elgin Police Chief Anna Lalley, City Manager Rick Kozal, Mayor Dave Kaptain and City Council members:

We believe that the March 12 killing of DeCynthia Clements by Elgin police Lt. Chris Jensen was unjustified. Consequently, Officer Jensen must be fired.

We understand that the Cook County States Attorney's Office is investigating to determine whether Lt. Jensen should be charged with a crime. We make no comment on that question, but we have watched the EPD video and read the EPD regulations on the use of deadly force.

Specifically, Lt. Jensen violated the EPD's rule that officers may use deadly force "... only when the officer reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to the officer or other persons."

In fact, Lt. Jensen killed Ms. Clements by shooting her three times within two seconds after she exited her burning car with a knife in one hand while stumbling and never gaining her balance. She presented no reasonable threat to anyone in this condition, let alone Lt. Jensen who had officers with both a Taser and a rifle prepared to shoot if necessary when she exited her car.

What's more, he killed her from what the autopsy said was "...a fair distance away."

DeCynthia Clements' life was at risk, not Lt. Jensen's or any other person present. She was killed in violation of clear policy and procedures which Lt. Jensen knew very well.

We call upon the city of Elgin and the Elgin Police Department to fire Lt. Jensen for this unnecessary taking of this young black woman's life.

Mary Shesgreen, Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice

Geneva