Former police chiefs disagree with reform proposals being considered in Springfield

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Some former police chiefs say proposals being floated in Springfield would deprive officers of powers they need to keep the streets safe.

Legislation sponsored by Chicago State Representative Justin Slaughter would restrict the kinds of minor offenses that police could use to stop a vehicle, among them, driving with an expired sticker and improper lane usage. The concern is such encounters can escalate quickly.

Recently, Chicago Police shot and killed 26-year-old Dexter Reed in a confrontation after he was stopped for not wearing a seatbelt. Former Suburban Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel said Reed fired first and the fact that officers fired nearly 100 shots is irrelevant, since they were returning fire.

Police had surrounded the vehicle.

But former Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Eugene Roy agrees sometimes police are stopping vehicles that match a description or might otherwise be suspicious.

“If you see a violation and you stop a car. That's what we want our police to do. That's what we want our beat officers to do. That is how they protect people, that is how they prevent crimes.
And in the other end, that is how they solve crimes.”

Policing and the laws is the topic of the ''At Issue'' program this weekend, and you can hear more Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

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