About 70% of police officers have been vaccinated in La Salle, Bureau, Putnam counties

Get the taillight fixed. Don’t forget to use the turn signal.

Police had generally turned a blind eye to minor traffic infractions during the pandemic, but some now are stepping up enforcement regardless of whether they’re vaccinated – and many aren’t.

Law enforcement officers and first responders were among the first to be offered COVID-19 vaccines, but participation to date has been about seven in 10, according to a Shaw Media poll of local police chiefs. Participation rates varied, but every agency reported at least some opt-outs. No department is 100% vaccinated.

Spring Valley Police Department had the highest vaccination rate, with Chief Adam Curran reporting “about 90%” participation.

“That includes both full-time and part-time officers,” said Curran, who also has stepped up traffic patrols. “Most of the part-time officers have been able to get their vaccinations through their full-time employment, but we have accommodated any part-time officer that wasn’t able to do so through their other employer.”

At the other end was Oglesby, where just two of nine officers have been vaccinated, for a participation rate of 22%.

“All were offered,” Chief Doug Hayse said. And with regards to patrol protocols, “I don’t see this changing anything. We have slowed down on traffic stops, but I have recently seen an increase in stops.”

Most other agencies reported vaccination rates near or above the two-thirds mark. Bureau County Sheriff’s Office and Streator Police Department did not respond to queries.

Mendota officers are 70% vaccinated. Chief Greg Kellen said traffic protocols will not change for the time being.

“Officers will continue to make traffic stops,” Kellen said. “However, they will continue wearing masks, disinfect their hands equipment and squads frequently, maintain social distancing and take reasonable precautionary measures whenever applicable. This is our plan until this pandemic is under control.”

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei received his shot Dec. 20, and most subordinates followed suit, as his officers are certified emergency medical first responders and thus were entitled to priority shots. Bernabei said 17 of his 25 sworn officers (68%) have been vaccinated and he anticipates more will follow.

Why are there opt-outs? Opinions varied among the chiefs surveyed, but some officers are wary of being first to get the shot.

“It’s probably wait-and-see,” Bernabei speculated. “I personally had zero side-effects – no different from getting the flu shot.”

Another issue is which shot to take. With some police officers being generally young, fit and not at-risk, the chiefs expect more takers once the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine becomes available.

Side effects have been reported, too, as was the case in Princeton. Chief Tom Kammerer declined to provide a participation rate – “I have had a few vaccinated” – but he did confirm “some did get sick after the second dose.”

“As far as traffic stops, we are starting to get back to normal,” Kammerer said. “We are being as cautious as possible.”

Ottawa Police Chief Brent Roalson reported 64% participation, with 23 officers vaccinated and 13 who “opted out for the time being.”

“We have been increasing [traffic] enforcement, however,” Roalson said. “We still follow our heightened safety protocols to prevent or do our part in stopping the spread of the virus.”

La Salle Police Chief Mike Smudzinski reported just 40% participation, with eight of his 20 officers so far vaccinated. As with Roalson, however, Smudzinski anticipates participation will increase. And while some chiefs directed patrol officers to disregard minor offenses, Smudzinski wasn’t one of them.

“I’ve never been forthright in saying, ‘Do not stop cars,’ ” he said. “I’ve just called my guys to be as careful as they can be.”

La Salle County Sheriff Tom Templeton put his rate at “a little over half,” but also anticipates more immunizations as officers overcome their hesitancy and have more products to choose from.

“It certainly is open to others,” Templeton said. “If they change their minds, we’ll certainly offer it to them.”

“The traffic protocol will remain about the same,” he said. “When they have a necessary traffic stop, we want them to use proper protective equipment while making the stop.”

Smaller agencies (Oglesby notwithstanding) tended to have higher participation rates. Putnam County Sheriff Kevin Doyle reported that 77% of his staff has been vaccinated. In Utica, Police Chief Rod Damron said all but two were vaccinated.

“One [opted out] because of choice,” Damron said, “the other because of allergic reasons.”