U. of I. Police seeking a part of its past
URBANA – U. of I. Police are looking for a long-lost piece of their history, and they are reaching out to the public for help finding it. The shoulder patch pictured above is believed to be the first patch U. of I. Police officers attached to their uniforms. Over the years, police shoulder patches have become an integral part of uniforms and even a highly-sought item for collectors. They have also become a part of police departments’ histories and tradition, and U. of I. Police would like to put their first patch on display at the U. of I. Public [...]
Red Flag Campaign kicks off Sexual Assault Awareness Month
https://youtu.be/0fu07WM84S8 URBANA — U. of I. students, athletes, advocates and police kicked off Sexual Assault Awareness Month with their annual Red Flag Campaign on campus Wednesday. The campaign aims to raise awareness about warning signs — or “red flags” — in relationships that are evidence of abuse or violence. Advocates also spent the day reminding campus community members about the resources available at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to deal with those issues. “We’re kind of encouraging people to be bystanders when they see red flags in a relationship, such as emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse,” said U. [...]
Team-focused detective announced as UIPD’s newest sergeant
URBANA — Detective Gene Moore will start serving the campus community in a new role soon. Police Chief Jeff Christensen has announced that Moore was selected as the University of Illinois Police Department’s newest sergeant. Moore started as a police officer at UIPD in 2001, and has spent the last seven years as a detective. He began his career in law enforcement as a correctional officer at the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. “Throughout his career with UIPD, Detective Moore has demonstrated an exemplary work ethic and dedication to the values of justice, respect, and integrity,” Christensen said. “His work within the [...]
U. of I. Police officers take a plunge for Special Olympics
CHAMPAIGN — Several officers from the University of Illinois Police Department and other members of the Division of Public Safety braved the cold at Memorial Stadium on Saturday to take a plunge for Special Olympics Illinois. Pools of frigid water were set up for the inaugural Fighting Illini Polar Plunge, where students, police and other organizations took a dive to raise money for people with intellectual disabilities. Temperatures were around 40 degrees when participants jumped in — a bit of a reprieve from the subzero temperatures just a day before, but chilly nonetheless. “It was cold, but several of us [...]
No foul play in disappearance of Campustown resident
URBANA — A Campustown resident who went missing on New Year’s Eve was found deceased on Friday in an Urbana park. Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup said Cristian Zamora, 23, of Champaign, was found submerged under the ice at Crystal Lake Park, 206 W. Park St., Urbana. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:55 p.m. Friday. There was no evidence of foul play in Mr. Zamora’s death, which is being investigated by the coroner and Champaign Police. An autopsy conducted Saturday showed no signs of trauma. Final autopsy results were pending Monday as authorities await findings in further [...]