Where do you get help?

When a large law enforcement agency does not have its own Internal Affairs Division, where does the lower-ranking employee get help when he observes questionable practices?

Are the doors of supervisors open? Are reports of possible or definite violations of rules, regulations and laws treated respectfully and confidentially? Can street officers expect that something positive can result from reporting such violations? And isn't it their duty to make those reports?

Yes, help is on its way.

When a large number of employees begin talking about how to report problems and be able to do so without fear of retaliation or retribution, there is a stronger possibility of improvement within a department.

I have a friend in Colorado (OK, so I know some will say they are glad to know that I have at least one friend) who, in his 60s, got involved in his small town because residents were upset with the county sheriff. They mounted a recall campaign, and they were successful in having him removed from office.

Another friend lived in Oklahoma - in a county where the District Attorney had a reputation for not prosecuting men who beat their wives or girlfriends. This friend started a shelter for abused women, and they got the District Attorney removed from office. Not just "not re-elected" - actually removed from office before the end of his term in office.

The Oklahoma D.A. example is provided for information only and is not a suggestion that our McHenry County State's Attorney should be a candidate for such attention. Any complaint I have taken to his office has been received respectfully and given due consideration.

Would a recall have removed Rod Blagojevich from office? Fortunately, we'll not have to be concerned with an answer to that question.

Recall of elected officials is not possible in Illinois, thanks to - who else? - elected officials. Why would they ever pass a law that might backfire on them? Could we ever get a law passed that might, like the compensation provision, not affect those serving a current term in office but apply to those elected (or re-elected) for the following term of office? That would be a step in the right direction, but we in this state known for high standards and seen as a national role model for ethics (ha!) seem unable to take even that step.

To get help, you have to ask for it. You've asked. Yes, help is on its way.