#8cantwait

#8cantwait Campaign Proposals

  • Does the La Grange Park Police Department ban chokeholds and neck restraints?

Pursuant to the Illinois Criminal Code, the La Grange Park Police Department has a policy to not apply direct pressure to the throat, windpipe or airway of a person with the intent to reduce of prevent the intake of air unless deadly force is justified (720 ILCS 5/7-5.5). The policy also bans a chokehold or any contact with the throat or neck area of another to prevent the destruction of evidence by ingestion (720 ILCS 5/7-5.5).

  • Does the La Grange Park Police Department require officers to de-escalate situations when possible, eliminating or reducing the need to use force?

The Police and Community Relations Improvement Act (50 ILCS 727) and Illinois Police Training Act (50 ILCA 705) mandate training requirements for active police officers in the State of Illinois.  The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board is the state agency mandated to oversee training requirements, curriculum and standards.  The Police Department’s training routine includes de-escalation training.

In addition to the required training, one of the courses that many La Grange Park officers have attended and our goal to have every officer trained, is the C.I.T. (crisis intervention team) course.  This course does focus on mental illness but also compassion and understanding for all, with de-escalation as a main focus point.

  • Are La Grange Park Police officers required to give a verbal warning before shooting?

The La Grange Park Police Department has a policy in place that states a verbal warning should precede the use of deadly force, where feasible.

  • Does the La Grange Park Police Department require officers to exhaust all other alternatives, including non-force and less-lethal force options prior to resorting to deadly force?

Pursuant to La Grange Park Police policy, Officers are required to only use the amount of force that is reasonably necessary to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Officers are accountable for any force used and are required to articulate in a report the level of force used and reason.

  • Does the La Grange Park Police Department ban officer’s from shooting at moving vehicles?

The La Grange Park Police Department has a policy in place prohibiting the firing of a weapon at a moving vehicle or from a moving vehicle unless deadly force is justified. Such parameters are set forth in the Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/7-5).

  • Are La Grange Park Police officer’s required to intervene and stop the use of excessive force by other officers?

The La Grange Park Police Department has a policy in place stating that any officer present and observing another officer using force that is clearly beyond which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances shall, when is a position to do so, intercede to prevent the use of unreasonable force. An officer who observes another employee use force that exceeds the degree of force permitted by law should promptly report these observations to a supervisor. All allegations of unreasonable force are investigated and determined excessive, those involved could face discipline ranging from a reprimand to termination.

  • Does the La Grange Park Police Department have an established use of force continuum that restricts the most severe types of force?

As an agency we strive to continuously train our officers on de-escalation and proper uses of force. Our officers are trained to use only the amount of force that reasonably appears necessary given the facts and circumstances perceived by the officer at the time of the event to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Levels of force range from:

  • Level 1 – Officer Presence
  • Level 2 – Verbal Persuasion
  • Level 3 – Physical Force
  • Level 4 – Aerosol Irritants
  • Level 5 – Less Lethal (Baton, Bean Bag Rounds)
  • Level 6 – Deadly Force


  • Does the La Grange Park Police Department require officers to report each time they use force or threaten to use force against civilians?

The La Grange Park Police Department policy requires any force used by a member of the department to be documented promptly, completely and accurately. All officers are required to complete a report when any of the following are utilized: physical force, aerosol irritants, less lethal or deadly force. A review of said incident is then completed by supervisory staff.