The Macomb Police Department will host a community workshop called the “World Cafe” to deepen local dialogue about policing and public trust. The event will focus on 10 Shared Principles adopted jointly by the NAACP and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.
The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Western Illinois University Student Union’s Lamoine Room. Guests are asked to RSVP using the QR code on the event advertisement.
The World Cafe aims to bring together police officers, community leaders, WIU students, and local residents for an open conversation about how these principles guide interactions between police and citizens.
“These 10 Shared Principles are common ground both groups believe in,” said Macomb Police Chief Jeff Hamer. “One of my favorites is treating people with dignity and respect. In my 25 years of policing, I’ve seen how a lack of respect escalates conflict. But when officers and citizens treat each other with dignity, it often prevents force and leads to better outcomes.”
The principles were first adopted locally around 2018 or 2019 under former MPD Chief Curt Barker and reaffirmed by the department this March.
Since then, the department has “operationalized” the principles by incorporating them into hiring, promotion, and special assignment interviews. Candidates are asked how they embody the principles in their work, signaling the department’s commitment to making them a living part of its culture.
Hamer said the World Cafe is a natural next step following the reaffirmation earlier this year. “It’s an opportunity to continue the conversation with the public,” he said. “We want to engage students and all citizens of Macomb to talk about how these principles apply in real life.”
The World Cafe is a state-level program previously held in other Illinois communities, including Springfield and Harper College. Macomb’s event is part of a broader effort across Illinois to foster dialogue and transparency between police and communities.
For Hamer, the principles are not just professional guidelines but a personal philosophy.
“Treating people with dignity and respect reduces complaints, lowers use-of-force incidents, and improves community relations. On a personal level, it’s simply the right way to treat people — police and public alike.”
While he cannot speak to nationwide trends, Hamer noted that respect and dignity are emphasized in Illinois police training.
“Officers could be ‘badge heavy’ and insist on authority, but that often leads to conflict. Showing respect, even when making an arrest, can make the process smoother and safer for everyone.”
The principles are prominently displayed throughout the police department, including outside the chief’s office and in the conference room, reminding officers daily of their importance.
“We keep these principles front and center so officers know they’re expected to live by them,” Hamer said.
The 10 Shared Principles can be read at www.ilchiefs.org/shared-principles.
