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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MODEL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENT
WHEREAS, in 2020, the Forest Preserves of Cook County issued a Request for Proposals and retained Hillard Heintze to analyze the Forest Preserves Police Department and recommend best practices to: (a) maintain and strengthen police and community relations, (b) create a work culture that is inclusive and equitable to all people, and (c) support a diverse police force through recruitment, retention and promotion; and
WHEREAS, the final report of the Independent Analysis of the Forest Preserves of Cook County Police Department from Hillard Heintze was presented to the Forest Preserve District Law Enforcement Committee on September 21, 2021, which recommended best practices and includes a work plan, timetable, and cost estimates for implementing the best practices, as well as tools to measure progress toward those goals; and
WHEREAS, the report outlined 21 recommendations needed to improve recruitment and retention, update policies and procedures, improve communication across ranks, and enhance police and community relations; and
WHEREAS, one of the key findings is that the Forest Preserves Police Department has a ready, willing and able workforce capable of helping transform the Department into a model police force; however, although those employees interviewed as part of the report are willing to help improve the Department internally, as well as its external relationships, many are concerned that change will not happen once the assessment concludes, and indicated that they have seen previous efforts to assess the Department or effectuate change, that were curtailed or failed to result in meaningful changes; and
WHEREAS, to ensure that the report recommendations are adhered to, and that the Forest Preserve District recognizes the importance of establishing an aggressive timeline to implement said recommendations and to report back to the Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners on progress being made towards achieving said recommendations;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners does herby request that the Forest Preserve District outline and deliver a detailed timeline for all elements needed to achieve the goal of a Model Forest Preserve Police Department as recommended in the Independent Analysis of the Forest Preserves of Cook County Police Department; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of the Forest Preserve District and the Chief of the Forest Preserve Police update the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners via the Law Enforcement Committee on progress being made towards achieving such goal on a quarterly basis beginning with the first quarter of the FY2022 fiscal year.
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective upon passage.
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