Cop Sought Order of Protection

The following details were taken from public records at the McHenry County Government Center.

A Woodstock police officer sought, and was granted, an Emergency Order of Protection (OP) on June 9, 2009, against a Woodstock woman. In his petition he identified the relationship with the woman as "boyfriend/girlfriend" and hand-wrote an extensive summary of personal problems which led to the request for the OP.

In the petition he listed a confrontation that had occurred between the woman's husband and him. The officer didn't request the OP against the woman's husband, but against her. He also checked the boxes that the woman "has threatened to or is likely to use firearms illegally against me". And that she possessed a firearm.

In his petition the officer stated that he had discussed the problems with his chief and the chief had suggested the OP.

A hearing was scheduled for June 19, and the woman was in court for the hearing. The officer? He didn't show up for the hearing, and a Motion to Vacate the OP was granted. A hearing was set for June 23 at 9:00AM.

The June 23 court date arrived, and the officer did not show up in court. The cause was dismissed for want of prosecution.

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Now, here's the question. When an Order of Protection is sought, the person seeking it must make a sworn statement as to the circumstances leading to the request. Based on those statements a judge makes a decision whether to issue the OP.

What opinion will you form after realizing that the officer did not show up in court twice to re-state and explain the sworn accusations in the Order of Protection?

Should the judge have required his appearance?

Heart-stopping Story

If you would like to read a heart-stopping story about the reasons that Illinois should stop fooling around and allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons, go to www.illinoiscarry.com and read (Mrs.) Valinda Rowe's personal story about death threats against her.

And every time you read about a woman who is assaulted or killed by an angry spouse, acquaintance or co-worker, think again about the dubious value of an Order of Protection. An OP is not an bulletproof shield. It is worthless as a defense, and organizations/agencies that proclaim its value should think twice and sufficiently warn their clients of its near-worthless value. Certainly it should be obtained and, just as certainly, it should not be falsely relied upon.

Then read the story and the comments on the same website about the June 10th meeting in Winnebago County to consider creating a Winnebago County law that would allow law-abiding residents to carry concealed weapons. And read the reported positive attention such a law is receiving from Winnebago County Sheriff Dick Meyers!

I carried on my recent motorcycle trip once I got out of Illinois. I carried legally in Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Yet, before I crossed the Illinois/Indiana state line on the way out of and back into Illinois, I could not carry legally. Had I seen a person (even a police officer) whose life was in danger (or if my own life was endangered), I could not legally aid him or her or protect myself. Pretty stupid; right?

© 2008 GUS PHILPOTT