Union Demands Safety Overhaul After Cook County Jail Officer Attacked Amid Policy Breaches

Cook County, Illinois — Tensions are escalating within the Cook County Department of Corrections following an incident where a probationary correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate. This attack, recorded by surveillance cameras on October 6, has prompted urgent calls from the union for significant improvements in officer safety procedures.

Teamsters Local 700, representing correctional officers, argues that the incident highlights severe lapses in existing safety protocols. They claim the officer was performing a routine safety check alone in a dormitory on orders from a supervisor who was not present at the location — a move the union describes as a breach of departmental rules that typically require officer backup in such scenarios.

The union expressed further grievance over the post-incident handling, alleging the supervisor involved did not seek immediate emergency medical assistance. Instead, the injured officer was reportedly sent to the jail’s medical unit unaccompanied and faced delays in treatment, only to be instructed later to resume his duties.

Ramon Williams, President of Teamsters Local 700, issued a stern critique of the department’s handling of officer safety. “The current system is failing those it employs to uphold safety and security within the corrections environment,” Williams stated. “Our officers continue to face unnecessarily perilous conditions which not only endanger them but also undermine the integrity of our correctional facilities.”

In response to the event, the union is urging a comprehensive review of the incident. Their demands are clear: prosecute the inmate responsible, enhance staffing levels, ensure officers are not left to conduct safety checks alone, and require supervisors to be physically present within the facility buildings.

The Cook County Department of Corrections has addressed the incident, acknowledging the union’s concerns while emphasizing their commitment to the safety of their staff. “We are grateful that the officer involved in this regrettable incident sustained no critical injuries. We affirm our position that any attack on our staff is unacceptable and will be met with appropriate legal recourse,” the department commented. They confirmed that the inmate, Malik Daniel, 28, has been indicted by a Cook County Grand Jury on charges of aggravated battery to a peace officer, a Class 2 Felony.

Sheriff’s office investigators had initially sought charges of attempted murder, indicating the severity with which they viewed the assault. The department disclosed that it is also examining potential violations of internal policies in the handling of the situation.

The incident and the responses it has triggered underscore the ongoing challenges and complexities faced by correctional facilities in managing safety and enforcing discipline. As the investigation continues, all eyes will be on how the Cook County Department of Corrections adapts its policies to prevent such occurrences in the future and how it supports its frontline correctional officers who face these risks day in and day out.