ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (May 3, 2021) — The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Labor Council, which represents the rank and file of the Rock Island Police Department, issued the following statement from Executive Director Shawn Roselieb on Friday, April 30, regarding recent anti-police remarks made by Rock Island Alderman Dylan Parker:
“The majority of Rock Island citizens support their police department and are grateful for the services they provide. But recently, as in the past, Alderman Parker has recklessly made statements seeking to politicize an already tense and tragic situation without any true understanding of police work, police policy, or the laws that officers take an oath to uphold.”
“Alderman Parker made his true position on law enforcement clear when he referred to the officers of the Rock Island Police Department as 'agents of state violence.' This type of language is inflammatory, divisive and reprehensible. His inappropriate, broad brushstroke characterization in no way depicts the men and women who proudly and courageously serve the citizens of Rock Island. It makes us sad to think a Rock Island elected official feels that using such language, in such a public forum, is a meaningful use of his political platform. Alderman Parker owes the members of the Rock Island Police Department and the citizens of Rock Island an apology and retraction.”
In addition, the members of Rock Island Police Department FOP Lodge #57 issued the following statement:
“The greatest service a police department can provide is for its citizens to sleep peaceably at night, knowing that there are brave men and women standing at the ready, willing to meet the ever-present danger that threatens them and those they are sworn to protect. Police officers choose a career of service, and at the same time, choose to risk their own personal safety for the good of the community. Each of these husbands, wives, sons, and daughters go to work every day fully knowing that this life of service may require them to make the ultimate sacrifice. Every day, the men and women of the Rock Island Police Department risk their lives to provide the citizens of Rock Island a safe community and face the societal dangers most will never directly experience. Our commitment to the citizens of Rock Island will never waiver and we will continue, as we always have, to provide professional police service to every member of the Rock Island community.”
The Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council is a law-enforcement union representing more than 12,000 professionals in more than 523 bargaining-units who work in the criminal-justice system. The Labor Council negotiates and enforces contracts and improves salaries, working conditions, and benefits for law-enforcement professionals throughout Illinois. Its members include police officers who work for municipalities, universities, and elected Constitutional officials; county sheriff’s deputies and correctional and court security officers; probation officers; 911 telecommunicators; law-enforcement records personnel; and some related support staff.
