Update: Justice Dept. Probes Chicago Police Amid Protests
After requests from angry activists and several local officials, the U.S. Justice Department is launching an investigation into the practices of the beleaguered Chicago Police Department.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Monday the probe of the police department will focus on police use of force, racial bias and how allegations of misconduct are investigated.
The investigation will be a joint effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago.
“When community members feel that they are not receiving that kind of policing, when they feel ignored, let down or mistreated by public safety officials, there are profound consequences for the well-being of their communities, there are profound consequences for the rule of law and for the countless law enforcement officers who strive to fulfill their duties with professionalism and integrity,” said Lynch at a news conference in Washington, D.C.
She added: “This mistrust from members of the community makes it more difficult to gain help with investigations, to encourage the victims and the witnesses of crime to speak up and to fulfill the most basic responsibilities of public safety officials. And when suspicion and hostility are allowed to fester, it can erupt into unrest. Building trust between law enforcement officers and communities they serve is one of my highest priorities as attorney general.”
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who initially called requests for a federal investigation misguided, changed his view as pressure mounted for the probe.
“I welcome today’s announcement by the [Justice Department] and pledge the city’s complete cooperation,” Emanuel said. “Our mutual goal is to create a stronger, better police department that keeps the community safe while respecting the civil rights of every Chicagoan.”
Chicago activists and several officials asked for a federal investigation after the City of Chicago released a dash-cam video of a white city police officer fatally shooting a black teen 16 times in October 2014. Officer Jason Van Dyke has been charged with murdering Laquan McDonald, 17.
The video, released last month, sparked large scale protests that led to the dismissals of high ranking officials, including former Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy, who was fired last week.
On Sunday, Scott Ando resigned as chief administrator for the Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates city police shootings. And on Monday, Dean Andrews retired as chief of detectives in the Chicago Police department.
For the last couple of weeks, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. and other activists have requested a federal probe, along with a shake-up of the police department.
Other black leaders and political figures, such as Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have called for the ouster of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez for dragging her feet in charging Van Dyke with McDonald’s murder.
Alvarez also was heavily criticized earlier this week for her decision to not charge a Chicago Police officer in the shooting death of Ronald Johnson, shot in the back as he tried to run away. Police said Johnson had a gun.
During protests, some have called for the resignation of Emanuel.
In fact, Jackson, who has not specifically called for the mayor’s ouster, said he wanted the federal probe to include the mayor’s office.
“All three of them – the police, City Hall and prosecutor’s office – are suspect,” Jackson told reporters. “We cannot trust them.”
Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin (1st Dist.) has a similar view. Boykin has joined Jackson at separate protests on the Magnificent Mile in Downtown Chicago on Black Friday, City Hall and State Street.
Other high profile African American officials want more action, as well.
On Monday, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus called for the Justice Department probe to be expanded to the Independent Police Review Authority and to Alvarez’s office.
In a statement, the caucus said it wanted the expanded probe “to determine whether systemic, unconstitutional patterns and practices exist in those organizations, perpetuating a law enforcement culture in which excessive force is tolerated.”
Ald. David Moore (17th Ward) and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward) said at a press conference on Monday they want Chicago City Council hearings about what exactly the Emanuel administration knew about the McDonald case.
The “case is only one in a series of incidents that compromise the integrity of our role serving as stewards of public resources and the public’s trust,” Moore said.
A source said Emanuel saw the controversial dash-cam video “when he said he would – after the officer was charged and when the video was released to the public.”
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