Congressional Candidate Calls For Joliet Police Chief's Removal

JOLIET, IL — Rachel Ventura, a Joliet mother who serves on the Will County Board and recently announced plans to challenge Democrat Congressman Bill Foster of Naperville in next spring's primary, has called for the removal of Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner. Ventura made her comments during Wednesday's town hall forum at the VFW Hall in Joliet. Mayor Bob O'Dekirk organized the event to discuss rising violent crime on the city's west side.

At one point during the town hall, Ventura remarked, "So, while I enjoy comic books and superhero movies, like most, Joliet is turning into Gotham. We have no Harvey Dent, nor Batman, but we have plenty of Jokers. And what we need now is a Commissioner Gordon. I therefore am asking the City Council and our Mayor to call for an independent search for a new police chief who will hold these police officers accountable."

Roechner and his three remaining deputy chiefs were at the forum, sitting at the front. One deputy chief, John Perona, opted to retire in July rather than face a demotion as part of an administrative shakeup of the Joliet Police Department that was contemplated by then-interim city manager Marty Shanahan.

"We need police leadership that fits the needs and diversity of our community, which is why a community survey is also needed for every resident to share all of their experiences. I look forward to the council complying with this, and lastly I want to thank all of the Joliet Police officers who have worked hard and do their job as their job. They're what's going to make this city safe. Thank you."

During an interview on Thursday, Rachel Ventura told Joliet Patch she believes there are a small number of Joliet Police officers who are "bad apples" and their conduct, which includes brutality and excessive use of force, is condoned by Chief Roechner, because he chooses not to hold them accountable.

Among them, Ventura singled out Joliet Police Officer Adam Stapleton.

In July, Stapleton tackled a 40-year-old black woman, Konika Morrow, who had gathered for a peaceful prayer vigil to draw attention to the plight of her cousin, Jasmine Morrow, who vanished July 2 and remains missing to this day.

Videos of Stapleton's takedown of Morrow have made the rounds on social media, further straining race relations between the Joliet Police Department, which is overwhelmingly white, and Joliet's African-American community.

In July, Konika Morrow told Joliet Patch that Stapleton flew up out of nowhere in his patrol car "and he jumped out of the car. I'm tackled out of nowhere by this officer after he pulls up. I just felt being taken off my feet. My face hit the ground. He flings me over and I was like, 'Why the hell is this happening?'"

On Thursday, Joliet's Congressional candidate said she believes Stapleton's tackling of Morrow was out of line.

"It did appear unprovoked," Ventura told Patch. "It appeared to be an abuse of power."

As for Chief Roechner, Ventura said he was constantly acting defensive throughout Wednesday night's town forum, and she views that as a sign of weak leadership ability.

"There was a lot of defensiveness," she said.

And if Joliet's chief of police chooses not to hold his "bad apples" accountable, Ventura noted, what's that say about his leadership skills in general?

During Thursday's Joliet Patch interview, Ventura emphasized she is only talking about a small percentage of Joliet Police officers who she considers as "bad apples."

However, Ventura told Joliet Patch she also finds it troubling - and quite telling - that Joliet's Police Department, the third largest city in the state, continues to resist efforts or make excuses on the issue of equipping police officers with body cameras.

Nowadays, a large percentage of metropolitan police departments across the country have used body cameras for years, but not Joliet.

For her, the continued absence of body cameras at the Joliet Police Department is just another reminder that Chief Roechner and the rest of his handpicked upper administrative team do not want to be held accountable to the community.

During Wednesday's town hall attended by about 125 people, Ventura rattled off about a dozen recent headlines in the press that reflected poorly on Roechner and his administration.

When she finished talking, several people in the audience clapped.

Here's some examples of Joliet Patch's coverage on Joliet Police matters:

• Shot By Officer Adam Stapleton, Pacheco Wins Appeals Verdict
• Joliet Officer Brian Nagra Faces 5 Criminal Charges
• Sex Videos Of 2 Joliet Officers Illegally Seized, Shared: Federal Lawsuit
• Joliet Cop Adam Stapleton Assaulted Me: Konika Morrow Tells Patch
• Joliet Detective's Mistress Feared For Her Life, Police Told
• Joliet Detective Arrested On Domestic Violence Charges
• Ex-Joliet Lieutenant Faces 6 Charges In Kendall County
• Joliet Cop Has Now Beat Me Twice Since Our Divorce: Petition
• Joliet Officer Lionel Allen's Downfall: Ferak Column
• Chief Benton Discriminated Against Black Officer: Lawsuit
• Resident Questions Joliet Police After Video Of 'Violent' Arrest
• Fired Joliet Officer May Retire, Collect Pension Soon
• Shanahan Ousted After Trying To Fix Joliet Police Dept.