Some positive changes, but more work to be done on state police reform, Naperville chief says

Naperville Police Chief Robert Marshall sees many components of the state's new criminal justice reform legislation as welcome opportunities for change.

Making it easier to decertify problematic officers, emphasizing de-escalation tactics and expanding required training - an area where Naperville police are already "way ahead" of the game - are among those positive steps, he says.

But during a virtual forum hosted Thursday by the League of Women Voters of Naperville, Marshall also pointed to sections of House Bill 3653 that he fears will have a significant financial and operational impact on departments across Illinois, ultimately making it more difficult for officers to do their jobs.

"We welcome police reform efforts. We support accountability for our officers," he said. "I'm concerned with regards to how (the legislation) is going to impact us keeping our community safe."

Backed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and signed last month by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the 764-page bill touches upon nearly every aspect of policing, from equipment to use of force to officer training and certification.

Each department, for example, is required to equip officers with body-worn cameras within a certain time frame, depending on its population.

Naperville already is on track to implement such a program well before its Jan. 1, 2023, deadline, Marshall said. The city set aside funds to start that process, which requires researching and testing vendors, working with the state's attorney's office, and updating its procedures.

The new state law, as written, prohibits police officers from reviewing body camera footage before writing a report, which Marshall said is a "major concern" law enforcement leaders are trying to address with lawmakers in a future trailer bill.

The police department also has increased its efforts in recent years to provide additional training in areas of implicit and explicit bias, use of force, and duty to intervene, he said. Of the agency's 117 sworn officers and 97 other staff members, 80 have been through a 40-hour crisis intervention training and certification process, with three more sessions planned throughout the year.

While Naperville has prioritized funding for those initiatives, Marshall said, other communities - especially those with smaller departments - may not be so lucky. The legislation lacks a mechanism to help pay fund those mandates, he said.

The elimination of cash bail and changes to arrest-and-release procedures are among the provisions law enforcement leaders will be watching closely when the bill takes effect July 1, Marshall said. Police officials also are seeking clarity on certain use-of-force rules they believe could have unintended consequences, he said, such as restrictions on where an officer is allowed to deploy a Taser.

Marshall said law enforcement officials have been going through the legislation "line by line" with its sponsors in hopes of clarifying the language and addressing key public safety concerns.

"There's a coalition that's working very hard to understand ... how it's going to impact our police department and the residents we serve," he said. "We're hopeful for a trailer bill to answer some of the many questions we have."