The Illinois State Police has received Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for body camera and dash camera footage of the officer-involved shooting[, on Friday night, January 26, 2018]. All the audio video recordings collected are items of evidence in an on-going investigation, and, as such, will not be available to the public until the State’s Attorney completes his review and findings.
Neither the Rock Falls Police Department nor the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office issue body cameras to their officers. We have collected dash cam footage from an on-scene Rock Falls squad car, an on-scene Whiteside County squad car, and a second County squad car that arrived on scene just moments after the shooting. An additional Rock Falls squad car was on scene at the time of the incident but was not equipped with any recording equipment.
The public is reminded that, in compliance with the Illinois Police and Community Relations Improvement Act, the entire investigative case file, including officer statements and dash cam video, will be made available through FOIA at the conclusion of the State’s Attorney’s review and any criminal proceedings if warranted.
The Illinois State Police is committed to providing a thorough, independent, and complete examination of the deadly force incident. We ask for continued patience and understanding, while we continue to gather the facts.