East St. Louis Police

Kendall Perry was rehired as chief after the new mayor, Charles Powell III, took office. Depending on who you ask, Perry either abruptly retired or was among the four city staff members fired in January for reasons they say were political.

In 2019, East St. Louis reported 36 homicides. The next year, Illinois State Police formed a partnership to help with criminal investigations and community partnerships. Last year, the city’s homicides dropped to 25.

Former chief Kendall Perry left the police department last month. Now, the city has selected its former director of internal affairs as the next chief.

Earlier this week, former Police Chief Kendall Perry told the Belleville News-Democrat he'd been fired.

Two days after being appointed East St. Louis’ interim city manager, Calvin Riley began firing key city employees, including high-ranking police department and code enforcement officials.

“My son was bleeding like a slaughtered pig,” the man’s mom said about the beating.

The police union in the city voted on a no-confidence measure last week.

The officers say they work for less than other area cops to patrol streets that are more dangerous.

Illinois State Police introduced a new effort to help alleviate violent crime in East St. Louis during a press conference Wednesday.

Editor’s note: There were 341 unsolved murders in East St. Louis between 2000 and 2018. In many of these cases, police had evidence and suspects, but no…