Area mayors respond

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Dear Editor:

Several Randolph?County leaders would like to respond to the statements made by States Attorney Randy Rodewald in a previously released news article. In this article the state attorney stated that several DUI arrests have been dismissed due to faulty police work. Although the article suggested otherwise, these arrests were not made by local law enforcement officers and the states attorney did not meet with the local police chiefs in regards to these incidents prior to the news release. Although we acknowledge our police officers sometimes make mistakes the statements which questioned the professional judgement of local police officers were unwarranted. The police officers in the local communities are highly trained individuals who receive hundreds of hours of training. The local leaders have dedicated thousands of dollars in their budgets to make sure officers are highly qualified and trained in the most current procedures and laws. Leaders will continue to find money in already tight budgets to make sure training continues and the highly qualified, highly trained officers are employed to serve the members of our communities.?We believe that the local officers, as well as our county officers, are some of the best in the state of Illinois. They work hard for their communities, the county, adn the region as a whole. Along with a strong work ethic, these officers show extreme dedication and professionalism and make all of us proud on a regular basis. We support our local law enforcement officers, stand behind their qualifications and dedication, and are proud to have them protecting our communities.

Michael Armstrong

Mayor of Steeleville

Joe Eggemeyer

Mayor of Chester

Rob Link

Mayor of Sparta

Dale Yates

Mayor of Percy