Attorney General Kwame Raoul, alongside Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy, affirmed their commitment to amending Joliet's policing practices following an investigation spearheaded by Raoul's office, which uncovered concerning patterns within the Joliet Police Department (JPD). The investigation, stemming from public outcry after the 2020 demise of Eric Lurry in police custody, was met with full cooperation from the city officials and law enforcement personnel as disclosed in their joint statement, "Joliet residents deserve lawful and constitutional policing that is fair to all people, regardless of race or gender."
The comprehensive review by the Attorney General's Public Interest Division lasted three years and included an exhaustive examination of documents, numerous interviews with a range of JPD stakeholders, and direct observation through ride-along and training sessions, a process that Mayor D’Arcy and the city have supported since the investigation was requested by the previous administration. Although a report marking the culmination of this investigative journey has been released, both Raoul and D’Arcy emphasize this is not the final chapter but a commitment to "continue, and expand the meaningful changes that have already been enacted since the election of Mayor D’Arcy" aiming to solidify a new era of police services in Joliet.
The report is the result of tireless work by the Attorney General's office and law enforcement experts who dissected thousands of pages of documents, carried out dozens of interviews, and reviewed a substantial amount of video footage from squad cars and body cameras. Commending the city's openness, the Attorney General's office stated, "throughout the three years of this investigation, the city of Joliet and the Joliet Police Department have fully cooperated with this investigation," laying the groundwork for improving police-community relations and advancing constitutional policing practices within the city.
The ongoing efforts following the report's release represent both governmental branches' commitment to transparency and will serve as the foundation for continued improvement. The collaboration looks to provide a "gold standard of police services for its citizens," according to the joint statement, the city is ready to engage in strenuous, yet necessary, reforms in order to cultivate a policing system that is equitable and just for all of its residents.
