Police officers in Chicago are under fire for exhibiting numerous improper steps in carrying out their duties. These include shooting escaping suspects on a regular basis and relying on force to hit back at the public. These cops have also shown incompetence in conducting investigations on many misconduct claims and on enquiries associated with favor officers.
In a report released by the federal authorities on Friday, the document highlighted the incidents relating to the systemic civil rights violations made by the Chicago police department.
These findings were brought on by an investigation of the Justice Department on an officer’s shooting of a teenager that resulted to the boy’s death. Much of the extensive research pointed out that the U.S.’ second largest police department has carried out abusive practices that targeted mostly black and Latino citizens among Chicago’s impoverished neighborhoods in the south and west.
"We make these findings acutely aware that this is a time of significant challenge for Chicago residents and police officers," Vanita Gupta, the Justice Department's Division of Civil Rights head, pointed out, while adding: “This context only heightens the importance and urgency of our findings."
Despite the large numbers of police officials in the city, Chicago has experienced a significant rise in violence and crime and has turned into the murder capital of America. In 2016, 762 homicides were recorded, which is almost 300 more than in 2015; such incidents often take place in the neighborhoods where police brutality is frequent, as noted by investigators.
In dealing with such strong evidence of their cops gone off track, Chicago city officials have begun making deals with the federal authorities to come up with reforms that will be supervised by a judge. Although implementation of these new measures can only be shouldered by millions of dollars, Chicago officials’ main challenge is to win back the public’s trust after having to put up with years of police brutality, such as the unnecessary use of Tasers, reckless shootouts and beating of juveniles.
According to the report, Mayor Rahm Emanuel referred to these incidents as “sobering” and promised to bring the necessary changes to the Chicago police department. However, the Justice Department is expected to have a softer approach for police reforms when President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
"I give my word to every officer and every Chicagoan that we won't quit until we get it right," Emanuel said.
