Palos Park Police Support 'Comply then Complain' Approach

As part of Law Enforcement Memorial Week, Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk unveiled Palos Park’s participation in a national campaign to prevent interactions with a police officer from escalating into physical confrontations.

“We are seeing some fundamental changes in this country as police search for new ways to gain public trust and look at police procedures and interaction with the public,” Polk said.

“In a time of unprecedented scrutiny and question of all facets of police tactics and processes, we want the prevailing message to be that anyone who feels they’ve been treated improperly by an officer should initially comply with the officer’s instruction, but should not hesitate to subsequently complain about that treatment.”

When asked, experts recommend citizens can diffuse confrontations with police by complying first, then complaining later if they feel their rights have been violated. Polk recommends that during an interaction you comply with an officer’s commands at any scene, and, if something unjust occurs, file a complaint after the fact.

“The Palos Park Police Department conducts regular peer reviews and best practice overviews, and we believe the ’Comply then Complain’ approach serves as a de-escalation mechanism and allows for a clear (post incident) review of what is and is not within the scope of industry service levels and practices.

“We recognize a key to any officer/citizen interaction is in an officer’s tone, which can encourage compliance,” Polk said in a news release. “We recommend the officer start by asking for cooperation first.”

An initial step toward addressing any concerns when someone is stopped by a police officer can ask that a supervisor be called to the scene. Beyond that, Palos Park has a specific procedure for the filing of a citizen complaint against an officer. Those complaints are investigated and when appropriate, training, re-training, corrective disciplinary processes and dismissal are utilized when deemed applicable.

Many people will look for specific guidance on what to expect from officers in connection with a stop, and how to interact with an officer in the event they are approached or stopped/

Polk suggests motorists follow these thoughts to prevent a stop from escalating into something worse.

· Remain calm and comply with an officer’s wishes, and if a motorist has any issues with how the officer handled the situation, pursue it later through the proper complaint channels with police.

· Motorist should not be surprised if another patrol car appears. This is to ensure the officer’s safety.

· Motorists are advised to always carry proper identification.