Investigation Highlights Problems With Auxiliary Cops In Illinois

Auxiliary cops
In this Sept. 24, 2009, photo Alexander County Sheriff David Barkett, left, talks with his Deputy Sheriff Stephen Thomas, right, and Auxiliary Deputy David Hornberger at the sheriff's department in Cairo, Ill. Stephen Rickerl / Associated Press
Auxiliary cops
In this Sept. 24, 2009, photo Alexander County Sheriff David Barkett, left, talks with his Deputy Sheriff Stephen Thomas, right, and Auxiliary Deputy David Hornberger at the sheriff's department in Cairo, Ill. Stephen Rickerl / Associated Press

Investigation Highlights Problems With Auxiliary Cops In Illinois

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About 900 auxiliary police officers are employed in the state of Illinois, and half of them serve in Cook and DuPage counties in suburbs close to Chicago.

An investigation from NBC 5 and the Better Government Association found that these officers generally receive less training than regular cops, even though they’re often armed and do many of the same jobs.

GUEST: Jared Rutecki, Better Government Association investigator