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It’s not a typical workday when I see more cops from Sierra Leone than Joliet.
But that’s what happened at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference this week as 14,000 cops from all over the globe met for training and “the biggest police trade show in the world.”
Since I had a better change of getting my mileage to Chicago reimbursed than I had for last year’s conference in Miami or next year’s in San Diego, I decided this was the year the press would see our local officers interact with their international peers.
Driving to McCormick Place was a good choice; you get that many cops in one place and traffic will keep moving.
And upon walking in I was immediately able to confirm with Manhattan Chief Bill Fitzgerald and Lemont Chief Kevin Shaughnessy there were no emergencies in their jurisdictions. Fred Hayes still had a few days before he’ll officially comment on any crime in Elwood, but as far as he knew the village was okay.
Romeoville probably was OK too, but I didn’t confirm that because yelling “Hey, Chief!” when I saw Mark Turvey in a crowded hall would have prompted 80 people to respond.
A message on my voice mail from Shorewood Chief Aaron Klima let me know he had information about a vehicle pursuit — but that he would be busy at a convention all day. I called back to ask which aisle he was in. As we finished our face-to-face interview, Klima mentioned Plainfield police had assisted with the chase. I made a note to call Chief John Konopek, but crossed it off when I ran into him two aisles over.
http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/8473085-417/brian-stanley-weapon-heavy-event-is-safest-spot-in-state.html
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