South Central Reporter

Christopher Hicks isn’t saying the Chicago Police Department doesn’t need to be attentive to calls for change and reform.

But Hicks, in his second term as an elected Republican precinct committeeman in Macoupin County, said calls to defund or shut down the police department are absurd. It’s an idea that has spread across the nation in the two weeks since the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis.

“There are always improvements that can be made in any profession,” he told South Central Reporter. “The Chicago police seem to take steps to ensure the department is meeting the needs of the community while having good officers in uniform. Community policing is the best approach in order to improve the public perception and trust in the police.”

Hicks, 33, is a Sawyerville resident with an interest in government and politics. In 2018 he was a candidate for a seat on the Macoupin County board in 2018 but lost by nine votes after a recount. 

That same year he was disqualified, following a petition challenge, when he ran for the GOP nomination for the 48th Senate District.

Hicks ran in the 2016 GOP primary for the 95th House District, was a candidate for mayor of Sawyerville in 2017 and sought a position on the city board of trustees in 2015.

When not on the ballot as a candidate, he has been on campaign teams in various roles, including as the Macoupin County volunteer coordinator for state Rep. Jeanne Ives when she ran for governor in 2018. He now serves as a field director for a political consulting firm.

Hicks said stripping the police department of its $1 billion annual budget is a poor idea with little to no chance of happening.

“With most citizens in favor of having police protection in their communities, I do not see any efforts in defunding the police that results in being successful,” he said. “Chicago has the reputation for being the most dangerous city in America. Although crime across the country is at historical lows, Chicago continues to see the crime rate steadily increasing.”

Without a well-trained and dedicated police department, the city would be terrible shape and people would be eager to see them return, Hicks said.

“The consequences would be utter and absolute chaos,” he added. “Imagine what Chicago would look like without the police. Chicago would become a war zone with increased crime, especially those crimes of a violent nature.”

Hicks said mainstream political figures in both parties are unlikely to embrace the idea.

“Even liberal Chicago Mayor Lightfoot is opposed to the defunding of the police,” he said. “As with any profession, there will be bad apples that should be dealt with swiftly and professionally. 

The answer, Hicks believes, is a just legal process.

“Every person arrested for a crime should have their day in court. Protestors do not get arrested for protesting but rather for committing a criminal offense,” he said. “Protestors arrested should be afforded the same rights as any other person charged with committing a crime. If I recall correctly, the Chicago police formed a community policing advisory panel in 2016 responsible for developing a new strategic plan for community policing.”

Hick said his encounters with Chicago police officers have been positive. In fact, he would like to join their ranks.

“My personal interactions with the Chicago police have always been pleasant,” he said. “I have not had any encounters with the Chicago police that dealt with any sort of crimes or wrongdoing. Personally, I plan to apply and, hopefully, become an officer with the Chicago police.”