What is the Homewood Police Department doing to implement the Ten Shared Principles adopted in 2018?

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) and the Illinois NAACP State Conference prepared a joint resolution, adopting ten shared principles designed to bridge the gap of mistrust between police and communities of color. The first of its kind in our nation's history, the agreement between a NAACP state conference and a statewide law enforcement agency identifies the common ground between local law enforcement and communities of color in their commitment to defending civil rights and keeping communities safe. The Ten Shared Principles can be found here.

The Homewood Police Department has demonstrated its commitment to such principles for several years and continues to do so in the following ways:

Principle # 1: We value the life of every person and consider life to be the highest value.

The value of human life is explicitly stated in the Police Department's policy on the use of force and demonstrated in our commitment to training all officers in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and the proper use of force.

Principle # 2: All persons should be treated with dignity and respect. This is another foundational value.

The core value of "respect" is a vital component of the Homewood Police Department's mission statement. The principles of respect, fairness, equity, impartiality, and courtesy are embedded in our policies, procedures, and practices. We maintain high standards for the fair and equitable treatment of all people through ongoing training, supervision, recognition of exceptional customer service practices, and the comprehensive review of key policing practices, including the use of force and traffic stops.

Principle # 3: We reject discrimination toward any person that is based on race, ethnicity, religion, color, nationality, immigrant status, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or familial status.

All Homewood police officers have been trained in procedural justice principles, cultural competency, and implicit bias, and receive annual training on policies and procedures prohibiting bias-based policing practices. The Police Department conducts a yearly review of traffic and pedestrian stops to identify trends that would indicate bias.

Principle # 4: We endorse the six pillars in the report of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. The first pillar is to build and rebuild trust through procedural justice, transparency, accountability, and honest recognition of past and present obstacles.

The Homewood Police Department demonstrates transparency by posting policies and procedures online as well as making themselves readily available to the community.

Principle # 5: We endorse the four pillars of procedural justice, which are fairness, voice (i.e., an opportunity for citizens and police to believe they are heard), transparency, and impartiality.

All Homewood police officers receive annual training on the prevention of bias-based policing practices. The Department's policies and training reinforce procedures that serve to maintain public confidence and trust by providing police services fairly and equitably for all people.

Principle # 6: We endorse the values inherent in community policing, which include community partnerships involving law enforcement, engagement of police officers with residents outside of interaction specific to the enforcement of laws, and problem-solving that is collaborative, not one-sided.

Our staff partners with schools, businesses, and community organizations to provide outreach on various topics, including child safety, school, and elderly abuse. Not only that, but there are also several crime-prevention and security measures each officer carries out each day.

Principle # 7: We believe that developing strong ongoing relationships between law enforcement and communities of color at the leadership level and street level will be the keys to diminishing and eliminating racial tension.

The Homewood Police Department has committed to participating in a college internship program to provide students interested in a career in law enforcement to learn about policing under the guidance of a mentor officer. The Department also offers tours of the police station to community organizations and families interested in learning more about the Homewood Police Department.

Principle # 8: We believe that law enforcement and community leaders have a mutual responsibility to encourage all citizens to gain a better understanding and knowledge of the law to assist them in their interactions with law enforcement officers.

One of the Homewood Police Department’s goals is to improve communications between officers and residents. A greater level of transparency and clearer information on the website are included to help gain a better understanding and knowledge of law.

Principle # 9: We support diversity in police departments and in the law enforcement profession. Law enforcement and communities have a mutual responsibility and should work together to make a concerted effort to recruit diverse police departments.

The Homewood Police Department strives to achieve diversity in the hiring of its workforce. It reaches a broad range of applicants through the Village website, law enforcement recruitment websites, and social media outlets.

Principle # 10: We believe de-escalation training should be required to ensure the safety of community members and officers. We endorse using de-escalation tactics to reduce the potential for confrontations that endanger law enforcement officers and community members; and the principle that human life should be taken only as a last resort.

All Homewood police officers are trained in de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques. Officers attend realistic, scenario-based training to practice de-escalation techniques to enhance public safety and the safety of officers in potential use of force situations.