Are the officers in Glen Ellyn thoroughly vetted to ensure that they do not have a history with abuse, racism, xenophobia, homophobia / transphobia, or discrimination?

Yes.  The Glen Ellyn Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is responsible for recruiting, selecting and appointing qualified candidates for positions as Police Officer.   The Police recruitment and selection process is a comprehensive and thorough process involving the following elements:

  • Written application with references and acquaintances
  • Written examination
  • Initial Oral interview 
  • Polygraph examination
  • Background check/investigation 
  • Second Oral Interview
  • Medical examination
  • Psychological examination

The portions of the officer selection process that would most directly screen for candidates with a history of abuse, discrimination or bias as referenced above are listed above in bold.

Once an officer is hired they are sent to a certified police academy for 14 weeks of intensive training, including topics that are mentioned herein.  Upon their return to the Department they undergo a minimum of 16 weeks field training with a variety of experienced officers to present the most well rounded training possible. This method allows for regular meetings among the Field Training Officers and the program supervisor to discuss any training issues and have those concerns addressed. 

For more than a year after completing training, Officers are in a “probationary” status where their performance is closely monitored.  Should an officer not meet standards and improve documented deficiencies during this time, they can be released from employment by the Chief. Since 2003, the Department has hired 65 Police Officers. As of June, 2020, twenty-nine (45%) of those officers did not satisfactorily complete the probationary phase of employment.  This is indicative of the highly selective nature and high standards set for the Glen Ellyn Police Department.

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1. Are the police officers in Glen Ellyn being trained to de-escalate altercations by using peaceful conflict resolution strategies?
2. Are the officers in Glen Ellyn forbidden from using carotid restraints (chokeholds, strangleholds) and hog-tying methods? Are they forbidden from transporting civilians in uncomfortable positions?
3. Are the police officers in Glen Ellyn required to intervene if they witness another officer using excessive force? Will officers be reprimanded if they fail to intervene?
4. Are the police officers in Glen Ellyn forbidden from shooting at moving vehicles?
5. Is there a clear and enforced use-of-force continuum that details what weapons and force are acceptable in a wide variety of civilian-police interactions?
6. Are the officers in Glen Ellyn required to exhaust every other possible option before using excessive force?
7. Are the officers in Glen Ellyn required to report each time they threaten to or use force on civilians?
8. Are the officers in Glen Ellyn thoroughly vetted to ensure that they do not have a history with abuse, racism, xenophobia, homophobia / transphobia, or discrimination?
9. Are the officers in Glen Ellyn trained to perform and seek necessary medical action after using excessive force?
10. Is there an early intervention system enforced to correct officers who use excessive force? Additionally, how many complaints does an officer have to receive before they are reprimanded or terminated?
11. Is there a report on civilian deaths that occurred in custody as a result of use of excessive force by a police officer?