A Look at Darien Police's Racial Composition

DARIEN, IL — Of Darien's 34 officers, 94 percent are white, 3 percent are Hispanic and 3 percent Asian. The department has no African American officers.

According to the U.S. Census, whites make up 76 percent of Darien's population, followed by Asians at 12 percent, Hispanics at 6 percent and African-Americans at 3 percent.

The information on the racial and ethnic breakdown of the Darien Police Department was included in Police Chief Greg Thomas' monthly report this week.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Ward 2 Alderman Lester Vaughan asked Thomas whether the police department has had any black applicants for officer positions.

"The reason I ask is because this is a great opportunity for the city to really highlight our diversity, to showcase our inclusiveness," Vaughan said. "Every time you see something on the news like George Floyd, you're reminded every day that we haven't come that far to make people feel included."

He added, "I'm asking that not to be unjust. I'm asking in a way to be respectful."

Thomas responded that African Americans have applied for officer positions. He said officer recruitment is difficult in general, but particularly for African Americans and Hispanics.

The police department, Thomas said, belongs to a DuPage County group formed a few years ago called Unity Partnership. It seeks to improve relationships between police and communities, particularly groups such as African Americans.

Thomas' predecessor, Ernest Brown, was African American, serving as chief from 2011 to 2015. He died in 2017.