A southern Illinois sheriff is retiring in part because of the changes coming to policing in the state following the passage of a criminal justice reform law earlier this year.
Union County Sheriff Scott Harvel will step down on August 2 after 34 years in law enforcement. He has served as sheriff since 2014.
Harvel says while portions of the Police and Criminal Justice Reform Bill address needed change, the significant changes mandated in the new law will bring extreme challenges to law enforcement agencies to effectively police their communities and impede his ability to do his job. The bill was passed and signed into law in February. It takes effect on July 1.
Many law enforcement agencies have been critical of the bill because it requires all police officers wear body cameras by 2025, bans all police chokeholds, creates new guidelines for "decertification" of police officers, among other things.
