Joliet Black Officers Make Endorsement: It's Clement

JOLIET, IL — With a dozen candidates vying for three open seats on the Joliet City Council in the April 6 election, the Joliet Police Department's Black Police Officers Association is urging voters to back the candidacy of Joe Clement, who retired last August after 27 years with the police department.

“Our membership looked at the list of people running, some of whom we are very familiar with, and we voted to support Joe Clement," Joliet Police Detective Dave Jackson announced in his role as Black Police Officers Association President.

“Many of our members have worked with Joe Clement personally over the years and know that Joe can be counted on to provide support for all Joliet public first responders to do their job effectively, efficiently and safely," Jackson continued. "The majority of Joliet police officers live in Joliet just like Joe, so high level public safety is not only the goal of our profession, it is necessary for the safety of our families, friends and neighbors.”

Clement issued a news release thanking the Black Police Officers Association for their support.

During these past four years, Clement also served as an elected official on the Joliet Park District Board.

“Despite the focus of the media on the divisions in American society right now, police officers need more support from their government leaders — not less," Clement said in his statement. "While every government employee and official needs to be held to a high standard, including me, I am no longer required make split second life or death decisions in stressful and sometimes violent circumstances. I appreciate the support of the Black Police Officers Association support and they know I support them as they do their job to keep us all safe.”

Last week, former Joliet police chiefs Dave Gerdes, Fred Hayes, Mike Trafton, Brian Benton and Al Roechner joined together to endorse the candidacy of Warren Dorris for City Council at large.

Dorris has been out of Joliet politics for 10 years after losing in the 2011 mayor's race. Prior to that, Dorris represented the east side of Joliet from 1987 until 2011.