Search Underway for New Independent Police Review Authority Leader

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, September 25, 2013

An IPRA report that collected data from Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012, shows a total of 57 police-involved-shootings. Of those 57 shootings, 50 of them were African Americans, some fatal and some were not. There were only two, white, police-involved-shootings; and three Hispanic, police-involved-shootings in that same time period. Those totals include police officer injuries.
An IPRA report that collected data from Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012, shows a total of 57 police-involved-shootings. Of those 57 shootings, 50 of them were African Americans, some fatal and some were not. There were only two, white, police-involved-shootings; and three Hispanic, police-involved-shootings in that same time period. Those totals include police officer injuries.

If you have a bachelor’s or graduate degree and four years of supervisory experience managing and conducting investigations into criminal or fraudulent activity, you may want to apply to become the next chief administrator to lead Chicago’s Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA).

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced an open application process and is encouraging interested candidates to send their qualifications via email.

An IPRA report that collected data from Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012, shows a total of 57 police-involved-shootings. Of those 57 shootings, 50 of them were African Americans, some fatal and some were not. There were only two, white, police-involved-shootings; and three Hispanic, police-involved-shootings in that same time period. Those totals include police officer injuries.

“IPRA plays a very important role in building and maintaining a strong relationship between the Chicago Police Department and the communities it serves,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel via press release. “The open application process will encourage people to consider applying for this demanding yet rewarding position while also expanding the pool of qualified candidates capable of continuing to reform and lead this agency,” the Mayor said.

Created in 2007, in response to concerns about how allegations of police misconduct were being investigated by the Chicago Police Department (CPD), IPRA is staffed entirely with civilian investigators and is an independent agency of the City of Chicago, separate from CPD and replaces the former Office of Professional Standards.

Charged with maintaining the “highest level of integrity while conducting objective, thorough investigations, towards a sound and just conclusion,” IPRA also performs intake functions for all allegations of police misconduct, compiles data and is directly responsible for investigations into allegations of excessive force, police shootings, deaths in custody, domestic violence, verbal abuse including bias and coercion and also investigates allegations of off-duty police misconduct relating to excessive force and weapon discharge incidents.

Members of the Leadership Network, a civilian board of clergy, legal and civic leaders, were quoted in several news article calling for community leaders to help pick the new police review board director and would like a civilian board of clergy, legal and civic leaders to review the police boards work every year with the belief that more community involvement in that selection would help to avoid costly litigation from families seeking justice for police misconduct and to improve relations between police and the community.

The plea comes a month after a jury awarded $8.5 million to the family of 18-year-old Aaron Harrison, who was shot in the back and killed by a police officer in North Lawndale six years ago.

In addition to accepting applications through the City’s Department of Human Resources, the Committee is posting the position description with various professional organizations and career websites for the Chief Administrator position that is equivalent to an executor director or department head.

To be considered for the position, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications:

Must have at least a bachelor’s degree; graduate degree preferred:

• Four years of progressively responsible supervisory experience conducting investigations of criminal or fraudulent activity.

• Proven ability to direct investigations of complaints; oversee their completeness and accuracy; determine facts and, if appropriate, recommend discipline or training as necessary

• Make revisions in policy and procedures to improve accountability.

Send resume and cover letter to IPRA.Chief@cityofchicago.org. The committee will accept applications until Friday, October 11, 2013.

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