SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Springfield police officers showed their support as they packed the chambers of Tuesday night's city council meeting for a presentation from Chief Joe Behl.
The display of unity comes after SPD officers were criticized for the arrest of a man for suspected animal abuse.
Behl said that he will defend the integrity of his officers and the department.
"We will not stand in the face of harm, and we will protect our community, our citizens and our officers. Our community deserves the truth, and we will have it," Behl said.
That sentiment was echoed by Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher.
"The men and the women of our Springfield Police Department are good people. They know I have their back, they know I respect them," Buscher said.
Behl said during the meeting that he has agreed to meet with community activist Tiara Standage after he issued a department-wide boycott of the Faith Coalition for the Common Good due to Standage's involvement with the group.
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