Dupage Policy Journal

GOP state House candidate Michael Camerer is calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other state lawmakers to put their heads together to bring about the kinds of police reforms he says are desperately needed.

“Racism is wrong no matter what and changes to the system of law enforcement are needed," Camerer told the DuPage Policy Journal. “Our governor and state legislators need to come together with options that take in consideration all parties involved and then come up with solutions that change the system for all citizens of Illinois.”

Camerer, a Bartlett resident, is running against state Rep. Dianne Papas in the 45th District.

But even as he agrees that reform is needed, Camerer stops short of supporting the growing defund the police movement being proposed by some Democrats.

The great debate stems from the recent Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, sparking protests and violence across the country. Minneapolis City Council members were among the first to raise the prospect of permanently dismantling their city's police department, and the idea quickly gained the support of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) and the leaders of the Chicago Public Schools.

“Reform could start by defining what a police officer is required to do and what they are trained to do,” Camerer added. “Training should be an important step in police reform, and I am happy to say that in Bartlett our officers have undergone training to the highest standards. Training helps to ensure that an officer treats everyone with respect, dignity, empathy and uses only the minimal amount of force needed during the arrest.”

As for a plan endorsed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot that would require all officers to be licensed, Camerer said it strikes him that the more oversight there is the better.

“Multiple layers of oversight are a good way of making sure that due process is achieved,” he said. “Licensing of officers ensures that not only would an officer be reviewed by a police commission, but also a state agency that could be a second set of eyes when an investigation is in process. By having officers licensed, we have the opportunity to confirm that justice prevails.”