No Criminal Charges Against Elgin Officer in Decynthia Clements Shooting
The Elgin Police Department announced Friday (Feb. 22, 2019) that no criminal charges will be filed against the officer who fatally shot Decynthia Clements almost a year ago, after she allegedly brandished a knife and officers attempted to pull her from a burning vehicle on I-90.
Decynthia Clements
The fatal shooting took place on March 13, 2018. The officer under investigation was veteran SWAT team member Lt. Christian Jensen.
Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley said in a Facebook video that the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office will not file criminal charges against Jensen or any other officers. Lalley said that determination was made following the State’s Attorney’s review of an investigation by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force.
Despite those findings, the city of Elgin is moving forward with an internal investigation that will be conducted by an independent firm to see if Jensen or other officers violated any police procedures.
The independent investigation will also review Elgin Police Department policies and procedures related to the use of force, Lalley said.
Lalley said Elgin police have not yet received the investigative report completed by the Illinois State Police but would make that information available on the city’s website as soon as possible, most likely in the next two weeks.
Christian Jensen
Jensen will remain on paid administrative leave until conclusion of the independent professional standards review.
A series of “listening sessions” will be scheduled in the coming days and weeks, Lalley said.
“We know that this past year has been a challenging one for Decynthia Clements’ family, the community and this Police Department,” Lalley said. “I am proud of the efforts by our community and our department over the last year. It is important that we stay focused and engaged with one another in a spirit of open dialogue.”
