Practicality, prudence and police: When sworn duty should prevail

Prosecution and Procedure

By David J. Robinson

David J. Robinson is a lawyer, adjunct professor, author and chief deputy director for the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor.

Posted March 17, 2020 4:34 PM

In last month’s column, “Citizens’ tips to police should be enough to justify investigations,” I explained that little corroboration, if any, ought to be required when police are responding to a citizen complaint. After all, police are tasked with protecting and serving communities in Illinois.I explained that as part of their oath, police are duty bound to respond to citizen complaints and concerns. It is their job to respond to those tips and, if necessary, take action to help or further …

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