A Champaign police officer remains on paid investigative leave, following his involvement in a shooting incident now under investigation. According to the officer, his gun went off accidentally when his foot slipped while chasing a suspect running from a traffic stop.  

Once again, an arbitrator acting under terms of the Champaign police union contract has ruled in favor of fired police officer Matt Rush, in one of the two charges cited for his 2016 dismissal.

Independent arbitrator Micheal Falvo determined that the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s refusal to use Rush as a courtroom witness was not valid grounds for firing Rush last April --- and that State’s Attorney Julia Rietz overstepped her bounds in doing so. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police announced the arbitrator’s ruling on Monday.

The Champaign City Council has taken the initial step towards providing police body cameras for all city officers.  Members unanimously endorsed providing the cameras for 125 officers in Tuesday’s study session, with a final contract expected in 4 to 6 weeks. Police Chief Anthony Cobb says the cameras increase accountability, and make things safer for both the officer and the public.

Seon Williams of Champaign says the excessive force incidents involving officer Matt Rush, and resulting lawsuits have 'derailed' the progress the African-American community has made in improving relations with city police.  He says the city deserves better officers on the street who make better decisions.

The city of Champaign Wednesday released two letters citing internal investigations regarding Officer Matt Rush.  One cites Rush's 'disciplinary history and judgment in crisis situations', while the other documents the officer's alleged behavior in a local bar in late February.  He's been the subject of four excessive force lawsuits, three of them resulting in $320-thousand in settlements.