(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police is out with a report detailing how much state funding they need to do their jobs and implement mandated reforms.
The State Legislature asked how much Illinois police departments need.
Now, they’ve answered.
“We put together this document to show them that what we really need is $759 million,” Ed Wojcicki, executive director of the association, said Monday. “We hope that that gets their attention.”
Wojcicki said more than $206 million of that price tag is needed for tech upgrades that he believes will help better track down criminals.
“They run away and you can’t catch them, you can’t chase them. But if we had better technology, we could safely be able to track these people and probably run them down. Throughout the state, we have technology needs.”
Other needs include funding for police body cameras, training, community engagement and recruitment and retention. Wojcicki called that a crucial aspect, especially given that more than 60% of Illinois police departments are now short-staffed.
“There’s a climate in Illinois that a lot of people are always complaining about the police, far too loudly,” he said. “So, the police are hearing this and saying, ‘You know what? It’s not really worth it for me to do this job.’”
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