AS OF THIS YEAR, ALL POLICE RECRUITS IN ILLINOIS WILL HAVE TO TAKE A COURSE ON AVOIDING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS.

THIS IS A NEW REQUIREMENT BUT WAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND USED BY MIKE SCHLOSSER, DIRECTOR OF THE POLICE TRAINING INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. THE COURSE FOCUSES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CAREFULLY GATHERING AND ANALYZING EVIDENCE AND NOT JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS ABOUT CERTAIN SUBJECTS.

HE SAYS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COURSE IS HEARING FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN EXONERATED.

IT’S NOW MANDATORY FOR ALL CADETS.