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Police Chiefs Push For Written Reports On Use Of Force

CHICAGO (CBS) -- In the wake of deadly confrontations involving police officers in Missouri, New York, and elsewhere, a group of current and former police chiefs in Illinois has pushed for changes in the way police agencies record interactions with the public.

The Illinois Association of Law Enforcement Executives said it wants all Illinois police departments to require written reports when officers use force in dealing with the public.

IALEE President Daniel McCollum, the retired chief of police for LaGrange Park, said the public doesn't know how often it happens.

"If you are to turn in to certain outlets, you would tend to believe that it's being used all the time, and yet people like … the FBI have done studies which have shown that it's less than 2 percent of all interactions," he said.

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The proposal, which could be presented to state lawmakers next month, would require a supervisor to review the report from any use of force incident.

McCollum said he used such a system in LaGrange Park.

"It was very effective, in that it allowed for us to have staff meeting discussions, as well as develop training programs," he said.

In Chicago, Police Supt. Garry McCarthy has said a pilot program for officers to wear body cameras should begin by the end of January, and some officers already have volunteered to wear the cameras. Before the program starts, the department is working out how to store video from the cameras, and for how long.

The Obama administration also has pushed for more police body cameras, and has proposed a three-year $263 million program to increase their use, offering a 50 percent match to departments that buy the devices.

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