Educational Opportunities

The DeKalb Police Department started the Child Passenger Safety Seat program in the summer of 2001. The Department has several officers who are nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians and are available to assist citizens in answering any questions they may have, as well as making sure:

• It has not been recalled
• It is correct for your child
• It meets safety standards
• The child passenger seat is installed correctly

Individuals can also view this informational worksheet from Safe Kids for assistance with car seat installations.

Certification

In order to be certified, officers must attend a 32-hour class given by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) certified instructors. The training covered topics such as injury prevention, crash dynamics, federal safety standards, vehicle occupant protection systems, and the correct installation of child restraint systems.

View more information on child passenger safety online. 

On March 5, 2019, the DeKalb City Police Department announced the addition of a Safe Exchange Zone. The Safe Exchange Zone is located in the front parking lot of the DeKalb City Police Department, 700 W. Lincoln Hwy. The Safe Exchange Zone will provide a safe area for those that buy, sell or trade items with others. The Safe Exchange Zone can also provide a safe area for child custody exchanges. The Safe Exchange Zone is marked with signage. The Safe Exchange Zone is recorded 24 hours a day and it is expected to reduce and deter thefts, robberies, fraudulent transactions and domestic violence during child exchanges. The Safe Exchange Zone is free to all to use and is available on a first come, first served basis.

Being concerned with the instances of underage smoking, the DeKalb Police Department performs tobacco compliance checks when possible. In recent years, enforcement has been stepped up. With grant monies disbursed through the Illinois Liquor Control Commission all city venues are checked multiple times throughout the year. The program called for DeKalb officers to visit with all tobacco licenses in the City of DeKalb.

Process

The businesses were advised the police would be checking tobacco sales compliance. They were given a packet of information on how to prevent the sales to minors and explanations of the law. They were also given posters to hang up lettering customers know that the tobacco licenses would be checking identification for age before a tobacco sale. Using minors 15 to 17 years of age, the businesses were checked 3 times throughout the year to make sure they complied with laws prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors.

The DeKalb Police Department is one of the founding members of the DeKalb County Triad, which was formed in 2013.  We offer numerous programs each year to educate senior citizens on ID Theft, Scams, Fraud, Safety, and other Crime Prevention strategies.  Our Triad consists Law Enforcement, Community Organizations, and individuals working together to improve the quality of life for older adults in DeKalb County. Visit the DeKalb County Triad webpage.

The DeKalb Police Department, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, hosts an annual hunter safety course. The DeKalb Police Department began sponsoring the Hunter Safety class in 1978.

State Requirements

A 1996 law requires all hunters born on or after January 2nd, 1980 to successfully complete the hunter education course before they are able to receive their first hunting license. Many other states require all out of state hunters to possess a hunter safety certificate before they are allowed to hunt in their state.

Class Overview

This is a 10-hour class, broken down into 3 mandatory sessions, with a written exam at the end of the 3rd session. Upon completion of the written test, students take part in a supervised shoot on the indoor range at the DeKalb Police Department. There is no age limit to participate in the class but reading is required. Registration is required and the course is free of charge.

The class covers a broad range of topics including firearms, hunter ethics, survival techniques, first aid and, of course, a strong emphasis on hunter safety. An Illinois State Conservation officer also speaks to the class about hunting regulations and updates in state conservation law.

Upcoming Class

A Hunter Safety Education training course, sponsored by the DeKalb Police Department and Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be held at the DeKalb Police Department located at 700 West Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.  Attendance is mandatory at all 3 sessions, for all 10 hours.

Course instruction includes:

• Basic archery
• Firearms safety
• First aid
• Hunter ethics
• Muzzle-loading
• State regulations
• Survival techniques
• Wildlife management
• Game Identification, with an overall emphasis on Gun Safety

In November 2003 the Police Department was approached by the Ben Gordon Mental Health Center regarding a grant they received from the Department of Juvenile Justice. The grant was to be used in an effort to curb alcohol related incidents involving underage violators.  Officers are sent to several training lectures as well as a 40-hour Illinois State Certification class to enable the department to conduct compliance checks.

Goals

One of the goals of our department and the city is to train the establishments in our city on the state and city liquor laws and ordinances. Included in this enforcement is the T.I.P.S. program. Participants are instructed on the proper and effective ways to deal with difficult patrons and responsible serving.

The course included ideas to prevent problems and liability for the establishments and the individual server. The course included proper carding of patrons and acceptable forms of identification. This course will be a continuing effort in years to come to assure compliance with the city.

Compliance Checks

The department elected to implement 4 types of compliance checks:

• Shoulder Taps: Underage agents set up outside an establishment and attempt to have patrons buy alcohol for them.
• Standard Bar Check: Uniformed officers enter an establishment and conduct identification checks in an effort to locate underage violators.
• Standard Business Check: Underage agents are used and selected by a Sergeant assigned to this detail. The agents must not have a criminal record due to the fact they may have to testify in court. The agents dress as though they were going out with friends. The department does not want the agents to look older than they are. The agents must have a state identification or driver's license that is red indicating they are under the age of 21. They are advised what to say while conducting a check. The agents are told not to lie when asked for an ID or age. They are to give the server their ID. The agents are not allowed to attempt to convince the server to sell them alcohol after being asked for an ID. The agents are then taken by officers to a local store to be age checked. This is to help determine what the average person believes the ages of the agents are. The opinion of 12 people are taken as they enter and exit the store. The agents are then taken by officers to the predetermined locations to conduct the business checks.
• Street Sweeps: Officers patrol streets with a high volume of foot traffic looking for open container violations, as well as possession/consumption of alcohol by minors.

You may call 815-748-8400 to register or you may register online. 

The DeKalb Police Department holds self-defense classes for women called RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) training.  It is designed to enhance the option of self-defense, so it may become a viable consideration to the woman who is attacked.  Topics include basic physical defense techniques, legal rights for defending yourself, and identifying or reducing risks.  RAD training is taught in three sessions.