10 Shared Principles

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) and the Illinois NAACP State Conference announced an affirmation of 10 Shared Principles that are designed to bridge the gap of mistrust between police and communities of color. The first of its kind in our nation’s history, the March 22, 2018, agreement between an NAACP state conference and a statewide law enforcement agency identifies the common ground between local law enforcement and communities of color in their commitment to safe communities.

On June 18, 2018, The O'Fallon Police Department, City of O'Fallon, and the O'Fallon NAACP came together to adopt the Ten Shared Principles. In addition to the adoption of these principles, the O'Fallon Police Department and NAACP have pledged to have ongoing conversations that will strengthen the relationship between the Community and the Police Department. 

 RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE ADOPTION OF THE TEN SHARED PRINCIPLES DESIGNED TO BRIDGE THE GAP OF MISTRUST BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

WHEREAS, on March 22, 2018 the State of Illinois Chapter of the NAACP and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police collaborated, adopted, and resolved 10 shared principles to improve relationships between law enforcement and the communities and people they serve in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, the City of O’Fallon, Illinois and the O’Fallon, Illinois Police Department acknowledge that there are historical reasons for some mistrust between our nation’s law enforcement and communities of color; and

WHEREAS, the City of O’Fallon, Illinois and the O’Fallon, Illinois Police Department have a passion for defending and protecting the civil rights of all citizens and in keeping our community and citizens safe; and

WHEREAS, the City of O’Fallon, Illinois and the O’Fallon, Illinois Police Department reject discrimination toward any person that is based on race, ethnicity, religion, color, nationality, immigrant status, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or familial status; and

WHEREAS, the City of O’Fallon, Illinois and the O’Fallon, Illinois Police Department recognize the importance and value the relationship built with communities of color and advocate the position of a continuance to strengthen these relationships; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the O’Fallon, Illinois Police Department is dedicated to proactively solving problems and protecting life and property through education, prevention, and enforcement. In striving to accomplish this mission; service to the community is the commitment, honor and integrity the mandate.

WHEREAS, the O’Fallon, Illinois Police Department endorses the four pillars of Procedural Justice which includes fairness, voice, transparency, and impartiality; and

WHEREAS, the O’Fallon, Illinois Police Department endorse the 6 Pillars of U.S. Policing which include; building trust and legitimacy, policy and oversight, technology and social media, community policing and crime reduction, officer training and education, officer safety and wellness.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF O’FALLON, ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS,

That the City of O’Fallon, Illinois and the O’Fallon, Illinois Police Department affirm the following principles regarding the relationship between law enforcement and the communities and people they serve:

1. We value the life of every person and consider life to be the highest value.

2. All persons should be treated with dignity and respect. This is another foundational value.

3. We reject discrimination toward any person that is based on race, ethnicity, religion, color, nationality, immigrant status, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or familial status.

4. We endorse the six pillars in the report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. The first pillar is to build and rebuild trust through procedural justice, transparency, accountability, and honest recognition of past and present obstacles.

5. We endorse the four pillars of procedural justice, which are fairness, voice (i.e., an opportunity for citizens and police to believe they are heard), transparency, and impartiality.

6. We endorse the values inherent in community policing, which includes community partnerships involving law enforcement, engagement of police officers with residents outside of interaction specific to enforcement of laws, and problem-solving that is collaborative, not one-sided.

7. We believe that developing strong ongoing relationships between law enforcement and communities of color at the leadership level and street level will be the keys to diminishing and eliminating racial tension.

8. We believe that law enforcement and community leaders have a mutual responsibility to encourage all citizens to gain a better understanding and knowledge of the law to assist them in their interactions with law enforcement officers.

9. We support diversity in police departments and in the law enforcement profession. Law enforcement and communities have a mutual responsibility and should work together to make a concerted effort to recruit diverse police departments.

10. We believe de-escalation training should be required to ensure the safety of community members and officers. We endorse using de-escalation tactics to reduce the potential for confrontations that endanger law enforcement officers and community member; and the principle that human life should be taken only as a last resort.