Illinois State Police To Join CPD 'Surge Teams'
By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 7, 2014 1:40PM
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration announced Wednesday that Illinois State Police would expand a partnership with Chicago Police, adding 40 State Police Officers to CPD's Fugitive Unit to assist in the detection, location, investigation and apprehension of wanted fugitives in Chicago. The Fugitive Unit follows up on arrest warrants, surveillance, intensive computer investigations, and all investigative leads.
The Tribune reports that, at the very least, this partnership will help bolster the “surge teams” Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy has touted as a major part in reducing Chicago’s homicide and other violent crime rates the past two years. The 20-25 groups of five Chicago Police officers and two state troopers will be on the ground in four neighborhoods, charged with seeking out criminals with outstanding warrants. Quinn’s office said the troopers will come from districts across Illinois and will be paid out of the State Police budget.
The announcement could have political implications for Quinn and Emanuel as they head into re-election campaigns, as local and state politicians have repeatedly asked for added support fighting major crime in Chicago. “The state of Illinois will do whatever is necessary to protect public safety - in Chicago and every community across Illinois,” Quinn said. “Earlier this year I told Mayor Emanuel we would help in any way we could to combat violence in the city. When he requested assistance, I immediately agreed to help.”
Details of the deployments weren’t announced, but Emanuel said the program will be evaluated over the next 30 days, to “evaluate its effectiveness.”