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* AP…
Police in Chicago have “no regard for the sanctity of life when it comes to people of color” and have alienated blacks and Hispanics for decades by using excessive force and honoring a code of silence, a task force declared Wednesday in a report that seeks sweeping changes to the nation’s third-largest police force.
The panel, established by Mayor Rahm Emanuel late last year in response to an outcry over police shootings, found that the department does little to weed out problem officers and routine encounters unnecessarily turn deadly.
The group concluded that minorities’ lack of trust and fear are justified, citing data that show 74 percent of the hundreds of people shot by officers in recent years were African-Americans, even though blacks account for 33 percent of the city’s population.
The task force pointed to a painful history spanning generations, including the 1969 killing of Black Panther Fred Hampton, allegations of torture from the 1970s to the 1990s under former commander Jon Burge and stop-and-frisk in the 2000s.
* More…
A draft of the report’s executive summary obtained by the Tribune on Tuesday slams the department and its chief oversight body, blames its collective bargaining agreements for supporting a police “code of silence” and calls on the superintendent to publicly acknowledge the department’s “history of racial disparity and discrimination.”
* From the executive summary…
How We Propose to Empower People.
• Create a Community Safety Oversight Board, allowing the community to have a powerful platform and role in the police oversight system.
• Implement a citywide Reconciliation Process beginning with the Superintendent publicly acknowledging CPD’s history of racial disparity and discrimination, and making a public commitment to cultural change.
• Replace CAPS with localized Community Empowerment and Engagement Districts (CEED) for each of the city’s 22 police districts, and support them accordingly. Under CEED, district Commanders and other leadership would work with local stakeholders to develop tailored community policing strategies and partnerships.
• Renew commitment to beat-based policing and expand community patrols so that officers learn about and get to know the communities they serve, and community members take an active role in partnering with the police.
• Reinvigorate community policing as a core philosophy and approach that informs actions throughout the department.
• Evaluate and improve the training officers receive with respect to youth so that they are prepared to engage in ways that are age-appropriate, trauma-informed and based in a restorative justice model.
• Require CPD and the police oversight system to be more transparent and release to the public incident-level information on arrests, traffic and investigatory stops, officer weapon use and disciplinary cases.
• Host citywide summits jointly sponsored by the Mayor and the President of the Cook County Board to develop and implement comprehensive criminal justice reform.
• Encourage the Mayor and President of the Cook County Board to work together to develop and implement programs that address socioeconomic justice and equality, housing segregation, systemic racism, poverty, education, health and safety.
• Adoption of a citywide protocol allowing arrestees to make phone calls to an attorney and/or family member(s) within one hour of arrest.
• Implementation of citywide “Know Your Rights” training for youth.
Thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 2:21 pm
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How to Win over Police Officers
Step 1. Threaten their Pension
Step 2. Say the have “no regard for the sanctity of life when it comes to people of color”
Step 3. ???
Step 4. Profit
Comment by Dee Lay Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 2:26 pm
“How to Win over Police Officers”
Is THAT what you think Chicagoans should be trying to do?
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 2:30 pm
It’s awesome and visionary and hard to imagine that it would ever happen. But as someone who has worked in the most impoverished communities for the last almost 40 years, I’m impressed with these recommendations.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 2:37 pm
My old man was the man. He says CPD is the most undisciplined
group of malcontents that ever were. The Chiefs, Commanders and the Union need to support other command staff in disciplinary recommendations.
Comment by Cable Line Beer Gardener Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 2:51 pm
====Police in Chicago have “no regard for the sanctity of life when it comes to people of color”====
While many of their recommendations are worthwhile, and should be implemented, any group that stoops this low to throw out broad generalizations over the entire CPD force taints its own report. By definition categorizing an entire group of people with the same broad brush is stereotyping which is basically what they are accusing the police of doing.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 2:53 pm
Sanctity of life in Chicago by the numbers…
2015
People shot and killed by police - 8
People shot and wounded by the police - 14
Incidents leading to violent protests - most of them
People shot and killed by each other - 444
People shot and wounded by each other - 2500
Incidents leading to violent protests - None
Be thankful for the police. They are about the last institution in Chicago that truly does care about human life.
Comment by Menard guy Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 2:54 pm
Any comment on whether there are enough police? (I suspect excessive overtime makes police tired and quick on the trigger.)
Comment by Lurkin MBA Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 2:58 pm
I frankly see nothing in those recommendations that amounts to more than feel-good language. I am especially worried about the last one. They are basically wanting to train kids to be confrontational and disrespectful toward the police. What a brilliant idea. These silly committees and commissions never accomplish anything, and frankly the Mayor is just using them for cover.
Comment by Menard guy Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:01 pm
Summary does not have a list of who was on the task force for the report. link?
“Police in Chicago have “no regard for the sanctity of life when it comes to people of color” ” where is that quote in the summary? it is a blanket assertion. while not ignoring major issues, such a statement is ridiculous. and not helpful for creating needed change.
From the report…..Actively seek out , listen and respond to voices from all over Chicago West South North Pilsen, is where the hearings were held.
while they did hear from police officers, they did not hear from residents of the SW side or the NW side. they did not care to visit those neighborhoods. if you are truly interested in hearing from “the community,” the community is all residents.
South Africa did major healing work. But their meetings were inclusive. these were not. that is a mistake that also has implications.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:02 pm
that’s a pretty gross generalization. I’d be willing to bet there are hundreds of police officers in Chicago who care about all people, regardless of race. at the same time, there have been horrific cases that reflects a dangerous attitude among some cops.
Comment by jim Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Thin blue line. Me add makes strong point, but the added point should be the police force needs to IMPROVE - regardless of the rampant disregard for life by the hundreds of grassbowls who use the world as a daily cage match
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:05 pm
MENARD . Sorry
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:06 pm
===Encourage the Mayor and President of the Cook County Board to work together…===
That might be asking too much.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:10 pm
I haven’t read the task force report but as a occasional reader of the comments section on a certain blog focused on the CPD, the lack of respect for people of color does not seem thay scurrilous an allegation to me.
Somewhat related, The Guardian has published more today about the horrific happenings at the CPD’s Homan Square “black site.”
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/13/homan-square-chicago-police-records-secret-interrogation-facility-new-documents-lawsuit
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:11 pm
Read the first page of the executive summary, linked above. It praises many of the police, and notes the difficulty of their job. The AP less doesn’t seem to be a fair summary.
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:13 pm
AP lede. (Autocorrect.)
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:14 pm
Let’s not forget the $500 million in settlements for police behavior, $500 million we can’t afford.
As citizens we have every right to demand accountability from our police force.
Comment by ChicagoVinny Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:14 pm
One of the biggest problems in that department is not the officers on the street, but the politicos in management who have worn white shirts for so long they no longer know what its like to be on the street. Eddie Johnson is the wrong guy for the job. They should’ve paid Tom Dart any amount of money to takeover that department. If not him, maybe Sheriff Clarke in Milwaukee.
Comment by Menard guy Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:16 pm
ChicagoVinny: You make the mistake of blaming the police for those settlements. Blame the City Council. In most of those cases the police probably did nothing wrong, but you only hear about the handful where they did. Those settlements amount to an institutionalized giveaway program that the police have little to do with.
Comment by Menard guy Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:19 pm
“. They are basically wanting to train kids to be confrontational and disrespectful toward the police. ”
How does that come from this— Implementation of citywide “Know Your Rights” training for youth.
Constitutional Rights are only used by the uppity?
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:25 pm
ArchPundit: Don’t be naïve…
Comment by Menard guy Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:25 pm
820 ILCS 115/3 says employers are required to pay employees no later than 13 days after the end of the pay period in which wages were earned. Does the Governor intend to violate state law?
Comment by Neveranonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:26 pm
This report directly contradicts the “few bad apples” theory that many people have embraced. The blue code of silence is a reality, yet those in denial are quick to those criticize ghetoo residents for refusing to snitch.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:31 pm
I’m not naive at all. However, I want to know what is so bad about US Citizens understanding their rights. Please explain.
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:32 pm
statistics can be problematic:
Of the 404 police officer shootings between 2008 and 2015, 74 percent of those shot were African-American.
Of 1886 taser discharges by police between 2012 and 2015, 76 percent of those targeted were African-American.
I’m actually surprised the percentages are not higher. discounting the assertion that illegal drugs are as prevalent in white communities as other, reports of murders and rapes are higher in poor and minority communities. Not offenders, but victims. therefore, when investigations happen, there are offenders present most likely. and strong policing can occur. do we actually think a shooter will be polite?
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:32 pm
Read the exec summary. The police lied. Not just Van Dyke, but his partner and several others. If the Chicago PD wants to be trusted, stop breaking the public’s trust with a misnamed code of silence. Misnamed because it isn’t a code of silence–it’s a code of lying.
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:34 pm
Bottom line is this, every city gets the quality of law enforcement it deserves. Chicago now has an exploding homicide rate that will only get worse. As much as you might like to believe otherwise, no one controls the CPD but the CPD. No way to ever change that. No one on that commission is ever going to control whether the cop on the street stops that vehicle to get their guns off the street, or instead turns a blind eye and simply waits to react when they eventually kill someone. The only thing that commission will accomplish is to make things even worse.
Comment by Menard guy Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:34 pm
“Chicago now has an exploding homicide rate that will only get worse.”
Let’s be clear here. It’s higher than it has been, but still significantly lower than the 1980s and 1990s. Trying to scare people into thinking the city has turned into Escape from New York is part of the problem.
===no one controls the CPD but the CPD. No way to ever change that
So really, the Constitution, the law, civilian control are only suggestions. I think we all understand what you are advocating for.
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:37 pm
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Comment by Maguffin Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:41 pm
Statistics can tell any story you wish to tell. Yes, 74% of police shootings (22 last year) involve Blacks being shot, however 76% of non-police shootings (2500 last year) involve Black shooters. So it sounds like parity to me. Just trying to illustrate how silly parity statistics are when it comes to criminal justice.
Comment by Menard guy Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 3:48 pm
“no regard for the sanctity of life when it comes to people of color”
I believe that quote more accurately describes the civilian criminals than the police.
Comment by Retired ISP Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 4:13 pm
Part of the reason police got away with this “no regard for the sanctity of life when it comes to people of color” is that it was supported and covered for by the Cook County State’s Attorney.
It’s not just the CPD.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 4:28 pm
@ Wensicia, again, an unfair blanket statement that is not helpful to the dialogue.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 5:37 pm
“…allegations of torture from the 1970s to the 1990s under former commander Jon Burge..” Check the minimizing language even here!
I stopped into the U.S. Federal Court downtown to watch the Burge trial for a bit and listened to a black man explain how he was hit in the head with a telephone book, then suffocated with a typewriter dust cover over his head. If those were allegations then I guess Patrick Fitzgerald didn’t know his job.
Want to stop 90% of unjustified police shootings overnight?
1) Stop paying the legal bills of cops accused of crimes.
2) Require all traffic stops to be conducted by marked cars to protect citizens from police impersonators and unaccountable plainclothes police. Ohio does this.
3) Restrict the police powers of off-duty cops to make arrests solely within the jurisdiction that employs them and only when on duty. Ever hear of a judge grabbing the accused in a McDonald’s and sentencing them to prison, instead of when they are behind the bench wearing a robe?
Comment by Payback Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 6:48 pm
“Statistics can tell any story you wish to tell.”
That canard is 100% b.s.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 11:15 pm
All the while, there are hundreds of shootings and murders being committed…and yet, no one cares….
Comment by Shanks Wednesday, Apr 13, 16 @ 11:30 pm
A committee that truly wants to make a change could start with the data that is immediately available. What is the percentage of CPD with zero or minimal aggression and corruption complaints? Is there a high concentration of complaints and wrong doing in one area of the department (very likely, based on most team models)? I’m not willing to dismiss the entire force on the actions of some.
Comment by Fairness and Fairness Only Thursday, Apr 14, 16 @ 3:45 pm
I thought for a moment the story would be about Chicago Planned Parenthood.
Comment by Ivar Ivarson Thursday, Apr 14, 16 @ 5:02 pm