Chicago Mayor Seeks to Retain Key Policing Powers In Civilian Oversight Plan
CHICAGO Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday unveiled her version of a civilian police oversight plan that allows her to retain the key powers of picking the police chief, negotiating contracts with police unions, and deciding on police policy disputes.
For about four years, mayors in Chicago have been pressured by activist groups to give key policing powers to elected civilians. Lightfoot herself was once such an advocate, having chaired the Police Accountability Task Force under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
But her stance on the issue took a sharp turn since she became mayor two years ago. Her talks with activist groups have broken down numerous times. Amid a new push by activists, she made it clear yet again that she is not giving those powers away.
Final Call News
Chicago police
Two years, an attempted cover-up, and several protests later, justice remains far off for Anjanette Young. In February 2019, White officers broke down her door in a wrongful raid and handcuffed her while she was naked and getting ready for bed. She was left that way––humiliated and harassed.
An investigation conducted by the historically problematic Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) has just wrapped up, still, no officers face serious penalties. Despite a city that has made its systemic racism crystal clear and a current Black mayor who critics say are strangling the efforts for justice–Ms. Young and her supporters are bent on going after what is justly due.
ABC News
Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest?
OffOn
But there s a similar plan that was recently introduced in the city council.
⢠6 min read
Chicago mayor unveils civilian police oversight plan
Mayor Lori Lightfoot s seven-member board gives citizens oversight power on on police department policies. Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images, FILE
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has released a highly anticipated civilian police oversight proposal that would create an independent seven-member citizen panel to advise the cityâs police operations.
The 17-page proposed ordinance was released Monday and would create a citywide Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability consisting of seven appointed members. Lightfoot said the proposal will overhaul how police are overseen, managed and held accountable when necessary, in a press release.
Sun-Times file photo
The Chicago Police Board has voted to clear a veteran police officer accused of lying to investigators after video surfaced that appeared to show the officer punching a handcuffed man at a South Side Hospital nearly seven years ago.
In a 5-3 vote during their monthly meeting Thursday, the board passed a motion declaring Officer Clauzell Gause not guilty of making a false statement regarding his use of force and to restore him to his position.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability recommended Gause be fired last year for allegedly lying to investigators about the incident. He had also been hit with felony misconduct charges, but those were dropped by the Cook County state’ attorney’s office in 2019.