State Law Would Prohibit Dispatcher ‘Snitching’

An Illinois legislator is hoping to fill a gap in state law that now allows employees of law enforcement agencies, including dispatchers, to tip off people about a criminal investigation and yet not be criminally prosecuted. The proposed law was introduced by state senator David Koehler in January, and was specifically focused on public safety dispatchers who might contact friend, relatives or others, and give them confidential information about an criminal investigation. A 2020 Illinois Supreme Court case highlighted the law gap when it overturned the conviction of a Glenwood police dispatcher who allegedly tipped off her boyfriend about a drug investigation. Under Koehler’s proposed bill, it would be a crime to communicate information acquired during employment, “to obstruct, impeded, or prevent the investigation, apprehension or prosecution” of any offense or person. The bill was passed by the Senate yesterday, and now moves to a rules committee before being considered by the House. Download (pdf) the current version of the bill here.