They were willing to sit down with lawmakers. They still are. Improving police-community relations is a priority, and police are eager to give input.
But a group of sheriffs and police chiefs from La Salle and Bureau counties sat down Tuesday and said they oppose House Bill 163 and its companion legislation. They said the legislation hurtling through Springfield will criminalize being a police officer, expose police and cities to crippling liability and scare off recruits.