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FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scope of the investigation?

The investigation looked at Joliet’s policies, training, and practices to determine whether JPD engages in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing. It also examined systemic causes of the problems identified.

The report makes findings in the following areas:

  • Use of force
  • Crisis intervention
  • Race discrimination
  • Sex discrimination
  • Accountability
  • Policies, training, and supervision

The report also includes a progress update on areas of concern that the Office of the Illinois Attorney General formally identified to JPD during our investigation, including:

What does a “pattern or practice” mean?

A “pattern or practice” exists where violations are repeated and are not isolated incidents. There is no specific number or percentage of incidents required to constitute a “pattern or practice,” but the conduct must be recurring or widespread.

Is this a civil or criminal investigation?

The investigation is civil, not criminal. It focuses on the police department as a whole, rather than specific officers or individual incidents. Outcomes may include binding agreements or court orders requiring JPD to reform and change its practices.

What is the legal authority for this investigation? 

The Attorney General’s investigative authority stems from multiple sources, including but not limited to:

Who conducted this investigation?

The investigation team included attorneys, support staff, and community outreach staff from the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. Throughout the investigation, the team worked closely with subject matter experts who collectively have decades of experience in law enforcement, data analysis, constitutional law, and police reform.

What evidence did the investigation review?

Over the past several years, the investigation team conducted a comprehensive review of evidence. For example, the investigation team:

  • Met with city officials, including the two mayors during this period, the former city manager, and the former chair of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
  • Interviewed current and former members of JPD, including both civilian and sworn officers of all ranks
  • Met with representatives of JPD’s officers’ union, supervisors’ union, and Black Police Officer Association
  • Attended roll calls, shadowed school liaison officers and neighborhood policing officers, and observed call-takers and dispatchers in the 911 Communications Center
  • Went on more than a dozen ride-alongs—during both day and night shifts—in each of the three police patrol districts
  • Interviewed and met with residents, advocates, and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system
  • Met with community and non-profit organizations, leaders of faith communities, and community organizers
  • Hosted both virtual and in-person community meetings with key stakeholders, a virtual townhall open to the public, and three listening sessions
  • Attended neighborhood association meetings, rallies, and other community, city, school, and JPD-sponsored events
  • Reviewed JPD’s policies, procedures, and training materials, including in-person and recorded observations of recruit training and in-service training
  • Reviewed hundreds of incidents and several years of data documenting JPD’s activities
  • Reviewed thousands of pages of documents, including Department policies, orders and memos, use of force reports, case reports, sexual assault and domestic violence investigation files, officer misconduct complaints and investigation files, supervisor counseling files, and officer background checks
  • Examined photographic and video evidence, including body-worn and squad car camera footage
  • Worked closely with subject matter experts in law enforcement, constitutional law, and data analysis to review and analyze the evidence

What is the timeline of the investigation?

  • June 24, 2020 – Joliet’s then-mayor Robert O-Dekirk, and several city council members sent a letter to the Illinois Attorney General requesting that it investigate the Joliet Police Department’s role in the death of Eric Lurry, who died in police custody on January 29, 2020.
  • Sept. 15, 2020 – The Office of the Illinois Attorney General responds to Joliet’s request by explaining that its jurisdiction focuses on patterns or practices of unlawful policing, rather than individual incidents. A review of publicly available information raised concerns about JPD’s wider practices, and so the letter requested additional materials to determine whether a full investigation into JPD was warranted.
  • July 1, 2021 – Amendments to the Illinois Attorney General Act, 15 ILCS 205/4 et seq., became effective. The Act explicitly provides the power to investigate and bring a civil lawsuit to eliminate patterns or practices of unconstitutional policing. This authority is consistent with pre-existing authority but also outlines specific procedures for a preliminary investigation, civil action, and civil remedies.
  • September 8, 2021 –The Office of the Illinois Attorney General formally opened its investigation into the Joliet Police Department. The decision was based on widespread concerns identified in the preliminary files received from JPD.
  • December 2021—January 2022 – The Office of the Illinois Attorney General communicated with JPD about JPD's early warning system to identify and support officers who might be struggling and at risk for behavior that could endanger themselves or others and sent JPD a formal letter outlining its concerns, guidance, and an offer of technical assistance.
  • July 15, 2022 – The Office of the Illinois Attorney General issues a technical assistance letter to JPD about the need to improve its language access system and practices.
  • April 28, 2023 – The Office of the Illinois Attorney General issued a formal letter to JPD urging it to implement a policy and training to improve its foot pursuit practices to enhance officer and public safety.
  • July and August 2023 – The Office of the Illinois Attorney General met with JPD several times to discuss concerns about foot pursuits, review video of sample incidents, and negotiate JPD’s first foot pursuit policy.
  • December 12, 2024 – The Office of the Illinois Attorney General published its final report, detailing its investigation and findings.

Throughout the course of the investigation, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General conducted hundreds of meetings and interviews, reviewed thousands of pages of police reports and files, and met with more than 100 members of the city government, police, departments, unions, and community.

Now that the report is out, what happens next?

The City of Joliet, the Joliet Police Department, and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General are committed to working together, and with the many communities of Joliet, to address the issues identified in the report.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy have issued a joint statement affirming their shared commitment to ensuring constitutional policing in Joliet.  They emphasize that the Office of the Attorney General's investigation "has culminated in a report; however, [the] report is not the conclusion.  Rather, we will collaboratively continue, and expand the meaningful changes that have already been enacted since the election of Mayor D'Arcy."

In their joint statement, they emphasized, "Mayor D'Arcy and the city of Joliet in conjunction with the Attorney General's office are committed to an ongoing collaboration to enact additional changes and provide the gold standard of police services for its citizens."

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