Post on 30-Sep-2015
2014 RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Annual report
Thomas Weitzel Chief of Police
A job that is getting more perilous: Officers from all over the country traveled to New York to pay tribute at the funeral services of two New York officers slain when ambushed in December
From the desk of . . .
Chief Thomas Q. Weitzel
March, 2015
Village Manager Jessica Frances, President Ben Sells and Board of Trustees, and Riverside Residents: A police department is not only made up of those familiar icons of a police station, squad cars, uniform and badges it is made up of people who have devoted their professional lives to public safety. It is my honor to applaud the fine officers and civilians of Riverside Police Department for their commitment to excellence and continued support for the Department and community. As police officers, we understand the need to be involved in issues that concern the community, its businesses and various neighborhood concerns. Our job has not changed, it's still to protect and serve our residents. Beginning in 2009, most police agencies in America faced budget cuts as a result of declining economic conditions throughout the world - Riverside Police Department was not immune to those issues. Despite economic challenges, we continue to stand by the mission statement of the Riverside Police Department by providing effective, high quality police services in partnership with the community we serve. Riverside is an ever-changing diverse community. We are committed to improving all aspects of public safety, reducing the fear of and incidents of crime, extending and improving our community programs, and maintaining the highest degree of respect for individual rights and human dignity. We are committed to honoring the sacred public trust by ensuring that the Riverside Police Department adheres to the highest professional law enforcement standards. We will continuously strive towards attaining excellence, removing barriers to communication, and providing our employees with effective leadership, supervision and training in a quality work environment in order to better serve you, our residents. I am pleased with the accomplishments summarized within this publication and trust that you will find this report to be informative and a fair representation of the dedication and commitment to service that the sworn and civilian members of the Riverside Police Department exhibit on a daily basis. Respectfully,
Thomas Q. Weitzel Chief of Police
THE Riverside Police Department
MISSION STATEMENT
To work in partnership with the community in order to provide prompt, unbiased, professional police service
that enhances the quality of life, while maintaining respect for individual rights and human dignity,
building confidence and respect between Riverside citizens and their Police department.
VISION
We envision a future where law abiding citizens feel safe
and take pride and comfort in the quality of life in our community; a future where criminal activity is vigorously and intelligently pursued.
We envision our department maintaining superior service; continuing to incorporate innovative strategies, contemporary technologies,
proven community policing philosophies and positive leadership.
COMMITMENT
We believe our employees are the most valuable assets of our organization; and that through regular training, education, career development,
exemplary leadership and organizational support, that they will reach the highest point in standards
of performance and professional satisfaction while serving the needs of the community.
Chief of Police
Deputy Chief of
Police
Operations Lieutenant
Executive Secretary Traffic Administrator
Sergeant Day Shift
Sergeant Afternoon
Shift
Sergeant
Night Shift
Detective Sergeant
Investigations
Officer In
Charge Officer In
Charge Officer In
Charge
Patrol Officer
Patrol Officer
Patrol Officer
Patrol Officer
Patrol Officer
Patrol Officer
Patrol Officer
Patrol Officer
Patrol Officer
Telecommunicator
LEADS Coordinator
Community Service
Officer
Telecommunicator Day Shift
Telecommunicator Afternoon Shift
Telecommunicator Night Shift
Part Time Telecommunicators
Crossing Guards
19 Full time sworn police officers
12 Part Time employees
Color Key
Auxiliary Police Corps
5 Full time civilian employees
4 on call Auxiliaries
Child Safety Seat Installation
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for kids. In Illinois, 80% of child safety seats are not installed correctly. Thats why Riverside Police urge all parents/caregivers to make sure children are always in a properly installed child safety seat that is appropriate for the childs age and size. Illinois law states that children up to age eight must be in a child safety seat or booster seat.
Are Your Kids Safe? Riverside Officer Eric Katzin is a certified child safety seat technician and if you bring your safety seats to the police department, he can check your child safety seats and help you with proper installation and use. Be sure to call first to make sure Officer Katzin is in!
Riverside Police Department takes a proactive stance
in educating the public on traffic safety related
issues. At the beginning of the school year, the
traffic unit hung SCHOOLS OPEN DRIVE SAFELY signs at all intersections throughout the
village. Similar mailers were placed in utility bills and
sent out to residents.
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS
In 2014, Nicole Deubel (L) resigned after many years of dedicated service; we wish Nicole well she did a great job for us!
Congratulations (and many thanks) to Fred Malon (R) with 10 years of service!
Being a school crossing guard is rewarding, part-time / seasonal work that makes a positive contribution toward the safety of our children.
Carlo Ferrara, resident Henry Calamia and Aaron Ruffolo (L-R) joined Riverside as Crossing Guards and were sure theyll do a terrific job for our Village! Welcome gentlemen!
Officer Simpson tickets kids with a coupon for a free
Slurpee for practicing bike safety by wearing their
helmets.
Riverside Police Department employs nine Communication Officers (four full/five part-time). In addition to 911 emergency calls, Communications officers answered
nearly 13,000 other phone calls consisting of emergencies (called in on lines other than 911), administrative and informational calls.
Communication Officers are career professionals specifically educated in their field.
More importantly, by state statute, these officers must be certified by the State of
Illinois to do the job. This Illinois State certification (LEADS-Law Enforcement Agency Data System) requires many hours of classroom and online training that is followed
by an exam administered by the State of Illinois.
After LEADS certification, Communication Officers go through a process of on-the-job training during many weeks that include working on all three shifts, so that the
trainee will get the entire perspective of various calls at all hours of the day and evening. Its not easy; many have wanted a career as a Communication Officer, but could not pass the testing or intense training program.
Communication Officers work the same hours as patrol officers, having rotating
days on and days off, and must give up some holidays and family time which shows their level of commitment to their careers and our citizenry.
1119 1172 1260 1107
1323 1227
1347 1261 1198
1340 1148 1096
0
500
1000
1500
Calls for Service Jan-Dec = 14,598
PROJECTS - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children certification Completion expected in 2015 Communication Center equipment location upgrade Major project; construction expected to begin late 2015
RPD welcomed part time dispatchers Dan Cermak & Rosie Zink! A Service Milestone: Michael Quan (R) has been w/RPD for 25 years! Mike, we truly appreciate you and are grateful for your
dedication. Many thanks for helping us out for so many years!
COYOTE SIGHTINGS
The police department received 66 coyote sightings in 2014; the breakdown is included in the chart below. The majority of sightings were in Zone 401 - Longcommon to the south, Byrd to the east, 26th Street to the north, Des Plaines/Akenside to the west.
Coyote sightings
decreased
82.7% from 2013
For statistical purposes, daytime hours were logged between 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and evening hours between 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.
ZONE 101 201 301 401 501
Sightings In 2014
Sightings in 2013
15
9
11
28
12
65
24
265
4
16
Percentage 2014
2013
22.7
2.3
16.7
7.3
18.3
17.0
36.4
69.2
6.0
4.2
Sighting TOTAL 2014
2013
66
383
TIME
Reported 2014 2013 %
2014 2013
6am-6pm 58 315 87.9 82.2
6pm-6am 8 68 12.1 17.7
Communications Officer Lynda Gutierrez
(above) helps kids with games designed to
educate about calling 9-1-1 (Farmers Mkt.)
A Police Ride to School is auctioned
off at school fundraisers - theyre always a big hit with the kids! The 2014
winners are pictured top left w/Officer
Lazansky & (L) w/Officer Panek Officers Pruim & Navarro give St. Mary Tiger Scouts a station tour and close-up look at a squad.
Elder Service
Unit
The Elder Service Unit (ESU) handled 10 follow ups and referrals in 2014 involving our community seniors. Follow ups ensure that the seniors police reports were properly handled. The ESU also made five referrals to Aging Care Connections in LaGrange for additional follow ups to assist with situations beyond the police departments control or areas of expertise.
The Elder Service Unit participates in the monthly meetings for Aging Well, the Riverside Senior Society and attends senior related events in the area.
In June 2014 the Department, along with Aging Well and with the assistance of the Riverside Garden Club, sponsored the annual Garden in a Pot event held at the Scottish Home in North Riverside. Participants were treated to demonstrations on how to arrange and plant various types of greenery to create a unique garden. The gardens that were produced were then raffled to audience members. The Riverside Police Department Elder Service Unit looks forward to continuing our partnerships with the community and the other agencies that we work with to provide activities and services to seniors in the Riverside area.
The Riverside Police Elder Service Unit consists of the following Riverside police officers:
Deputy Chief David Krull Officer In Charge Brian Greenenwald Officer James Lazansky
Seniors should feel free to contact any of these officers with their concerns at any time.
Riverside Police Explorer Post 390
In 2014, the Riverside Police Explorer Post #390 continued their commitment to learning
about law enforcement, helping the community and training to become leaders. Four
Explorers attended the National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference in Bloomington,
Indiana on the campus of Indiana University in August.
Explorers had the opportunity to attend seminars and competitions hosted by members
of the United States Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Indiana State Police,
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and many more.
Although the Post did not win a trophy this year, the experience was a great one!
Explorers put up signs to remind drivers of schools being back in session
to encourage safer driving
Riverside Explorer Post (L to R): Tim Geroulis, Kyle Longino, Khristian Walker, Brandon DAltorio and Ofc. Brian Greenenwald
Riversides Detective, Frank Lara (L), is in the following task forces: MCAT-Major Case Assistance Team, WESTAF -West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force) and
WSDA-West Suburban Detectives Association.
Participation in task forces enables Riverside Police to exchange information with others and request officers if needed. Participation in task forces provides for constant flow of resources, criminal intelligence, equipment, expertise and ability to quickly bring many trained detectives and evidence technicians to help with major crime scenes.
This Unit responds to routine and in-progress calls for police service
and provides in-depth follow-up work on major cases.
PART I OFFENSES 2013 2014 CHANGE %
Homicide - - - -
Criminal Sexual Assault 2 - -2 -
Robbery 1 2 +1 +100
Aggravated Assault/Battery 15 52 +37 +226
Burglary 33 19 -17 -51.5
Theft (including from vehicles) 118 90 -28 -23.7
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 - -4 -
Arson 1 - - -
TOTAL Part I Offenses 174 157 -17 -9.8
PATROL ACTIVITIES 2013 2014 CHANGE %
Calls Taken 14,761 14,620 -141 -.9
Accident Reports Taken 279 327 +48 +17.2
Felony Arrests 49 60 +11 +22.4
Misdemeanor Arrests 417 408 -9 -2.1
D.U.I. Arrests 118 135 +17 +14.4
Compliance Tickets 629 506 -123 -19.5
Traffic Tickets 2,569 2,722 +153 +5.9
Parking Tickets 2,331 1,827 -504 -21.6
Juvenile Arrests 52 64 +12 +23
Prisoners held In lock-up 466 468 +2 +.4
Felony DUIs 12 17 +5 +41.7
Using
high-tech equipment,
florescent powders, chemical
enhancers, nanometer lighting
and high-tech photography
skills, Forensics stays current
to continue to provide high
quality service to our residents.
2014 NOTABLE cases:
Residential Burglary to Apartments,
Burglary to St. Marys grade school,
Aggravated Battery to Police Officer,
Aggravated Battery to Unborn Child,
Armed Robbery/Jewelry,
Home Repair Fraud,
Aggravated Domestic Battery
In 2014, Riverside Police Department Juvenile Division
had contact with 78 youths resulting in 65 juvenile
cases.
On occasion youth officers will try to handle youth
offenders on a street or station adjustment. A Street Adjustment is usually contact with a youth for a status offense (status offenses are those violations that would
not otherwise be a crime if committed by an adult).
A Station Adjustment occurs when there is contact with a youth offender who may have had previous
contact with the youth division for a similar or more
serious offense.
The goal of a Station Adjustment is to conduct
successful parental conferences and interviews. This
plays a vital role in trying to correct the problems that
have arisen with a hope to change the behavior
pattern and attitude of the youth. We attempt to show
the youth their errors in judgment so that they do not
make a similar mistake in the future.
Many times juvenile officers impress upon the youth to
use common sense when making difficult adolescent
decisions.
On occasion, we recommend family counseling for
families having problems or offer other positive means
to occupy their time.
Our goal is not to let the youth get into the juvenile
justice system and become a repeat offender.
SERIOUS CRIME CATEGORY:
2 Aggravated Battery
8 Battery
1 Domestic Battery
2 Retail Theft
1 Assault
2 Theft
2 Burglary
1 Criminal Damage to Property
11 Disorderly Conduct
1 Possession of Controlled Substance
7 Possession of Cannabis
7 Resisting a Police Officer
1 Trespass to Property
3 Distribution of Harmful material
2 Mob Action
10 Possession Of Alcohol
1 Reckless Conduct
1 Cannabis Manufacturer/ Delivery
1 Felony Disorderly Conduct
1 Traffic Offense
Riverside Police Department continues to aggressively deal with unacceptable and risky behavior that can lead to lifelong problems.
.
Status offenses are violations that would not otherwise be a crime if committed by an adult.
Breakdown of Violations Petitions
Station Adj
Cited
7
4
23
2
38
6 5
20
2
9
1
9 11
2
11
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Curfew Runaway Truancy Tobacco Alcohol
2012
2013
2014
In 2014 there were fewer contacts with juveniles, but those contacts
that officers had with juveniles were more serious and in a wider range of
offenses . . .
PROMOTIONS (L-R) Jeffrey Miller was promoted to Sergeant, Chief Weitzel, William Gutschick was promoted to Lieutenant and David Krull to Deputy Chief
uniform patch in 2014
Deputy Chief William Legg retired in 2014
Our gratitude to Bill
for 30 years of dedicated police service.
Tammy Pruim began her career with RPD in 2014 as a patrol officer
Officer Joseph Mahanna was officially sworn in
2
0
1
4 RPD changed their
uniform patch in 2014
Chief Weitzel had 30 years
w/RPD in 2014
Deputy Chief Dave Krull receives An Executive Leadership Award
from Northwestern
Sgt. Leo Kotor (L) and & Officer Brian Greenenwald earned the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Achievement Award Officer Isaac Hamilton earned the Cook County Sheriffs Award of Merit
in 2014
2014
135 DUI ARRESTS
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
11
8
9 9
12
8
7
15
9
12
11
13
6
8
9
11
9
6
9
12 12
9
16
12
6
7
14
8
14
16
12
11 11
12
13
11
2012
2013
2014
Intensified Traffic Enforcement Since 2011, ITE has resulted in 807 citations and 21 different Riverside streets being targeted. If a traffic problem is detected, that location may be added to the ITE schedule so officers can target it during a designated detail. In 2014, ITE detail was operational on seven occasions and during those details 171 citations were issued.
In late 2014, a data spreadsheet was created to track citizen traffic complaints. The ITE Supervisor sees where problem areas are and coordinates efforts to address them. Once data is evaluated the issue is referred to regular patrol for enforcement or referred to the ITE detail. There is then an educational phase during which Twitter, village website, cable network and other media sources are used to promote the upcoming ITE detail. An ITE detail is then conducted with multiple officers targeting problem areas all at once. After the detail, data is re-gathered and re-evaluated to assess whether additional enforcement is needed in any areas.
Intensified
Traffic
Enforcement since 11/2011
inception
Spe
ed
Spe
ed S
choo
l Zon
e
Cel
l pho
ne S
choo
l Zon
e
No
D/L
on
Per
son
Exp
ired
D/L
Sea
t Bel
t
Too
Man
y P
asse
nger
s
Exp
ired
Reg
istr
atio
n
No
Insu
ranc
e
One
or
No
Ligh
ts
Squ
eal T
ires
Sto
p S
ign
Red
Lig
ht
Driv
ing
susp
ende
d
revo
ked-
no D
/L A
rres
t
DU
I
Dru
g/A
lcoh
ol
Obs
truc
ted
Win
dshi
eld
Fai
lure
to y
ield
to
Ped
estr
ian
Fai
lure
to y
ield
for
emer
genc
y ve
hicl
e
Lane
Usa
ge a
nd
Yie
ldin
g
Par
king
Vio
latio
ns
Driv
ing
on W
alkw
ay
Dis
obey
ing
traf
fic d
evic
e
No
Vill
age
Lic
ense
TO
TA
LS
Akenside 2 2
Barrypoint 31 1 6 3 4 1 7 1 20 1 75
Blythe 1 1
Desplaines 33 2 4 39
E.Burlington 9 5 1 1 16
First Ave 122 4 3 1 3 9 2 3 1 5 1 9 1 164
Forest 2 5 7
Golf 0
Harlem 10 12 1 1 1 1 5 5 1 12 3 1 2 1 56
Kimbark 2 2 2 1 7
Longcommon 4 1 1 1 3 10
Ogden 1 1
Ridgewood 3 1 1 6 11
Woodside 213 7 15 4 2 8 7 16 9 1 26 308
Crosswalks 4 4
E.Quincy 2 2
Riverside Rd 1 1
Parking Lots 4 94 98
St. Marys 2 2
Fairbank 1 1 2
Addison 1 1
TOTALS 427 8 50 14 3 16 1 15 44 8 1 31 12 17 1 2 6 4 3 11 31 7 1 94 807
NORTHERN
ILLINOIS
POLICE
ALARM
SYSTEM Riverside Police Department participates in a mutual
aid emergency service team known as the Northern
Illinois Police Alarm System or NIPAS.
NIPAS represents a joint venture
of a number of suburban municipal
police departments in the Chicago
metropolitan area. Fifteen police
agencies created NIPAS in 1983 to
ensure effective police mutual aid
in times of natural disasters. From
these humble beginnings, the
system has grown to include law
enforcement agencies of 96 cities,
villages, and towns in five counties.
One of our Riverside officers, Sergeant Leo Kotor
(pictured above), volunteered to serve in addition to his
regular duty assignments and is trained for service in
potentially violent situations, disasters, dignitary
protection or other tactically demanding times.
NIPAS provides a high level of professional response
and resources for the protection and safety of Riverside
residents.
In 1987 NIPAS created the Emergency Services Team
(EST), a full service tactical team designed to handle
high-risk incidents.
The EST is administered by a Team Commander and
broken into the following units:
Containment Team EMS Team
Entry team K-9 Team
Marksman Team Negotiations Team
Support Services Team Tactical Command team
The Northern Illinois Police Alarm System was established by
an intergovernmental service agreement and its purpose as
stated reads:
This agreement is made in
recognition of the fact that natural
occurrences or man-made
occurrences may result in situations
which are beyond the ability of the
individual community to deal with
effectively in terms of manpower and
equipment resources on hand at a
given time. Each community has and
does express its intent to assist its
neighbor communities by assigning
some of its manpower and equipment
resources to an affected community as
resources and situation allow. The
specific intent of this agreement is to
permit the police departments of each
community to more fully safeguard
the lives and property of all citizens.
In 2014, the NIPAS Emergency Service Team was activated 20 times for the following callouts:
10 Warrant service
5 Barricaded subject 2 Mobile Field Force assists
1 Weapons of Mass Destruction (subject w/bomb in chlorine factory) 1 Presidential Security detail
(Vice President Biden)
&
The Riverside Police Department Property Room took in over 300 pieces of
property and evidence in 2014 that included:
Over $750 in drug seizure funds
Over 200 grams of cannabis
Multiple guns
and other weapons
Various Drug
Paraphernalia
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Riverside Police Department updated the
cameras that are kept in the squad cars. The
Police Department purchased Canon G15
cameras with 12.1 megapixel lenses to replace
the aging Minolta cameras that were currently
in use. The Cannon cameras allow Riverside
officers to photograph evidence at the scene
in all lighting and weather conditions, making
cases even stronger when they go to court.
Tobacco Compliance Checks
Grant Funded
Riverside Police Department participated once again in the Illinois Liquor Control Commission KIDS CANT BUY EM HERE tobacco grant in 2014.
Compliance checks were completed three times throughout the year
at vendors of tobacco products by a Riverside officer and a local minor.
Riverside Police Department is proud to report that local retailers were (once again) 100% compliant with state and local laws regarding sales to minors!
Compliance checks work!
For the fifth year in a row,
weve experienced 100% compliance!
YEAR
CHECKS
COMPLIANT
NON-
COMPLIANT
Compliance
%
2004 5-4-4 3-4-3 2-0-1 67
2005 5-5-5 4-5-4 1-0-1 87
2006 5-5-5 5-5-4 0-0-1 94
2007 5-5-5 4-4-5 1-1-0 87
2008 5-5-5 3-2-5 2-3-0 68
2009 4-4-4 3-4-4 1-0-0 92
2010 4-4-4 4-4-4 0-0-0 100
2011 3-3-4 3-3-4 0-0-0 100
2012 4-4-4 4-4-4 0-0-0 100
2013 4-4-4 4-4-4 0-0-0 100
2014 3-3-3 3-3-3 0-0-0 100
Illinois Department Of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety
Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP)
Traffic Safety Grant Roadway safety is a high priority for Riverside Police Department. Fatalities due to
motor vehicle crashes in Illinois were under 1,000 for 2014. Motor vehicle crashes continue to kill tens of thousands of Americans and injure millions more each year.
Fortunately, we had zero fatal accidents reported in Riverside in 2014.
Riverside Police Department, working in conjunction with the Illinois Department of
Transportation, once again received a State funded traffic grant known as the STEP grant for 2014. This grant allows officers to focus on impaired drivers and occupant
protection. In addition to impaired drivers and occupant protection, officers also focused on distracted drivers (cell phones), speeders, and other moving violations.
The 2014 grant kicked off on November 18, 2013 and ended September 1, 2014; it
consisted of six different campaigns as follows:
(Most campaigns ran for about two weeks leading up to the holiday with
the exception of the St. Patricks Day campaign, which was
considerably shorter.)
Campaigns run concurrently with nationwide traffic safety campaigns like Click It or Ticket, You Drink, You Drive, You Lose and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Riverside Police Department was awarded $21,185 from IDOT to fund the grant
campaigns. Officers worked many hours during these campaigns and issued several tickets throughout enforcement periods.
Public education is another key factor that goes along with the STEP grant. Before
each campaign a press release is sent out notifying the public of the upcoming campaign and that officers will be out in full force looking for traffic violators.
Notices are put on the Village website and Twitter advising the public of the same.
The STEP grant allows an opportunity for Riverside officers to make our roadways safer, specifically during holidays when
traffic volume increases.
The 2014 grant was a success and Riverside Police Department will continue to
apply for future STEP Grant opportunities as we are committed not only to removing impaired motorists from the roadway, but also to the general overall
safety of motorists.
Thanksgiving Memorial Day
Christmas / New Years Eve Independence Day
St. Patricks Day Labor Day
RIVERSIDE POLICE TRAINED NEARLY 3,000 HOURS IN 2014!
Our Police Command Staff knows that if officers are given varied training opportunities, it maintains the professionalism of the Department; that benefits residents and all who have contact with our officers.
Training in 2014 included:
New laws/ procedures & refresher on arrests, search/seizure & traffic stops
Supervision of Police-Northwestern Univ. Center for Public Safety
Firearms training, (simulated and live fire)
Interview & Interrogation
Communications/9-1-1 Center refresher
Critical Incident Dispatching
Concealed Carry Act & Medical Marijuana
School Violence-Police Response
School Safety & Response to Active Shooters
Evidence Technician Training WESTAF
Police Staff &Command-Northwestern U. Center for Public Safety
NIPAS Training
Coyote Training
Asset Forfeitures
Police Academy training-Illinois State Police
Breath Alcohol Testing
Executive Management-Northwestern U. Center for Public Safety
Rapid Response
Police Cyclist
Child Safety Belt Certification
DUIs and Field Sobriety Testing
Spillman Users Conference
Field Training for Officers
Gracie Defensive Tactics Instructor (recertification)
Narcotics Investigations
Homicide
Managing the Small Law Enforcement Agency
Blood borne Pathogens
Hazardous Materials
2014 TRAINING
Use of Force Training
Firearms Training is a crucial part of law enforcement due to officers facing a rising number of critical situations forcing them to defend their lives and those of others.
All officers are required to complete annual use of force certification training in:
Firearms (Pistol/Rifle, day/ night)
Taser Certification
OC (pepper spray) Defensive Tactics
Force on Force (Simunitions)
Less than Lethal
Meggitt Judgmental, use of force skills
Preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for 2014 showed 126 federal, state, and local law officers killed in the line of duty with ambushes the leading cause of officer fatalities in firearms-related deaths. Of the 50 firearms
fatalities, 15 officers were shot and killed in an ambush - more than any other circumstance of fatal shootings in 2014. With these types of violent interactions, Riverside officers must
strive to maintain a high level of firearms training for violent encounters.
Firearms Instructors help develop skills necessary for officers to make rapid, sound decisions when facing a situation involving weapon use. The purpose of the Firearms program is to provide instruction and training officers can apply when called upon to make
critical decisions and how to react in stressful situations where the use of a firearm may be required. The secondary purpose is to develop skills in safely handling multiple weapons
under varying degrees of psychological pressure. Officers are required to complete an Illinois State mandated course using their primary
duty weapon and challenging courses developed by Firearms instructors. When the state mandated handgun course of fire is completed, each
officer then completes a tactical course of fire, based upon situations that may arise day or night.
Officers complete outdoor firearms qualification and training at the Lemont Police Department outdoor
shooting range. It is conducted rain or shine to prepare officers for a changing environment. To increase safety, Riverside Police created a
series of scenario-based training exercises to better prepare officers for challenges that may be presented while on patrol. Officers take part in Force on Force scenarios where they
are placed in lethal encounters using Simunitions rounds. Scenario based training has officers draw on their (use of force) decision-making skills. The expected outcome of
scenario-based training is to increase the chances of a successful resolution when officers are faced with a violent encounter.
PSMc
PSMc