Officers fired for cause still find police jobs after investigation

Lourdes Duarte and Illinois Answers Project

3 hours ago

Who monitors the roads in Illinois? A joint investigation by the Illinois Answers Project and WGN Investigates uncovered questionable hiring practices at police departments across the state.

Robbins is among cities that have a history of hiring officers who were fired from other police departments for alleged misconduct. The southern suburban village hired a total of 46 officers, but they were fired. No other department in the state has hired more.

Records show departments in Phoenix, Illinois; Dixmoor; Markham and Harvey also hired officials with questionable backgrounds.

In total, the Illinois Answers Project reviewed employment data going back 24 years. It identified nearly 1,500 officers who were hired after being fired for police misconduct. Some officers are prohibited from testifying in court. The full report on the story can be found here.