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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY REVISED REQUIREMENT FOR MODEL POLICE DEPARTMENT PROGRESS REPORTING TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WHEREAS, in 2020, the Forest Preserves of Cook County ("Forest Preserves") issued a Request for Proposals and retained Hillard Heintze to analyze the Forest Preserves' Law Enforcement Department (i.e., "Police Department" or "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 Department from Hillard Heintze was presented to the Committee on Law Enforcement (the "Committee") on September 21, 2021, and such report 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 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 were willing to help improve the Department internally, as well as its external relationships, many were concerned that change would not happen once the assessment concluded, 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 Preserves continues to recognize the importance of establishing an aggressive timeline to i...
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