Full Notification

ROCKFORD – July 12, 2010- City of Rockford Police Chief Chet Epperson today announced the disciplinary outcomes of the internal investigation into the August 24, 2009 officer involved fatal shooting of Mark Anthony Barmore. Mr. Barmore died after an altercation which occurred as City of Rockford Police Officers were taking Mr. Barmore into custody on a warrant issued for his failure to appear in court on felony probation violations and for questioning on complaints that he was threatening citizens with a knife.



Officer Oda Poole was informed that he will be suspended 30 days and will be required to undergo a fitness for duty evaluation. Officer Poole has the right to seek review of the discipline, either before an Arbitrator, or before the Rockford Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. A fitness for duty evaluation must be completed prior to Officer Poole’s return to full time duties within the police department. In the interim, Officer Poole will remain on administrative leave.



The outcome of the internal investigation regarding Officer Stan North has been deferred, by agreement with the PB & PA, pending the determination of Officer North’s application for a disability pension, which is currently under consideration by the Rockford Police Pension Board. In the interim, Officer North will remain on administrative leave.



Sergeant Mark Jacobi, has received a letter of reprimand for his actions as officer North and Poole’s direct supervisor on the date of the incident.



Ongoing efforts to improve the Department will proceed in addition to any corrective action involving the individual officers. “We are working on a number of initiatives throughout the Police Department to put the lessons learned in this event to good use. These include improvements responsive to the recommendations from the Independent Assessment and Monitoring, LLP, report, the Department’s analysis of the incident and our ongoing community mediation process through the Department of Justice,” Chief Epperson stated.



Chief Epperson also stressed the importance of the department moving forward in a positive manner, “The Rockford Police Department recognizes the need to improve our police organization. I have every confidence that our organization will improve and we will work every day to earn the trust of our community.”



Mayor Larry Morrissey and city staff will be available for comment after tonight’s City Council meeting.