An Ordinance in Relation to Police Oversight
Establishment of COPA and PSD

ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago (“City”) is a home rule municipality as
described in Section 6(a), Article VII of the 1970 Constitution of the State of Illinois,
and as such may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its
government and affairs; and
WHEREAS, The City established by ordinance at Chapter 2-84 of the
Municipal Code of Chicago a Department of Police to protect the health, safety and
welfare of the residents of the City; and
WHEREAS, Effective oversight is essential to maintaining a professional,
well-managed, ethical and properly functioning Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Both the Police Department and the residents of the City whom
the Police Department serves should be able to rely on an impartial, effective, and
adequately-resourced oversight office to conduct objective, thorough, and
independent investigations into the matters within the office’s jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, Trust in the oversight office’s ability to provide independent
oversight is critical and must be established and maintained; and
WHEREAS, The Mayor and the City Council are committed to providing the
resources needed to properly investigate allegations of police misconduct, ensuring
the expertise of personnel who conduct such investigations, and establishing the
credibility of the investigations and inspiring the community’s confidence in their
quality and independence; and
WHEREAS, The Mayor of the City of Chicago (“Mayor”) established the
Police Accountability Task Force (“PATF”) to review the system of accountability,
oversight and training that is currently in place for the Police Department and
recommend reforms to the current system to improve independent police oversight;
and
WHEREAS, The PATF actively engaged the community, victims’ rights
groups, law enforcement, and youth, religious and elected leaders to ensure its
findings and recommendations were based on input from all parts of the City; and
WHEREAS, The PATF developed comprehensive findings and
recommendations concerning community and police relations, police oversight and
police accountability; and

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 An Ordinance in Relation to Police Oversight
Establishment of COPA and PSD

WHEREAS, The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chicago have
reviewed the findings and recommendations of the PATF, and seek to implement
recommendations that address Police Department accountability and oversight by
ordinance; and
WHEREAS, This ordinance establishes a two-part structure to carry out the
goal of enhancing Police Department accountability and oversight: (1) the
establishment of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability to promptly, effectively
and fairly investigate complaints concerning police misconduct and abuse, and
incidents involving the most serious uses of force by police officers, and (2) the
creation of a Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety to audit and review the
policies, procedures, and practices of the Chicago Police Department, the Police
Board, and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, and thereby enhance
transparency, accountability and quality of oversight; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
SECTION 1.
The foregoing recitals are adopted and incorporated into and
made a part of this Ordinance.
SECTION 2.
entirety.

Chapter 2-57 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is repealed in its

SECTION 3.
Title 2 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is amended by creating
a new Chapter 2-78, as follows:
CHAPTER 2-78
CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY
2-78-100
2-78-105
2-78-110
2-78-115
2-78-120
2-78-125
2-78-130
2-78-135
2-78-140
2-78-145
2-78-150
2-78-155
2-78-160

Definitions.
Civilian Office of Police Accountability – Establishment and
Composition.
Purpose.
Chief Administrator – Qualifications and Appointment.
Office and Chief Administrator – Powers and Duties.
Subpoenas.
Decisions, Recommendations.
Investigations Not Concluded Within Six Months.
Cooperation in Investigations.
Final Reports – Open to Public Inspection.
Quarterly and Annual Reports to Legislative and Executive Branches.
Chief Administrator – Conditions for Removal from Office.
Retaliation, Obstruction or Interference with Investigations Prohibited –
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2-78-165
2-78-170
2-78-175
2-78-180
2-78-100

Penalty.
Violation – Penalty – Discharge or Other Discipline.
Rules and Procedures.
Accountability.
Transition.
Definitions.

The following terms wherever used in this chapter shall have the following
meanings unless a different meaning appears from the context:
“Chief Administrator” means the Chief Administrator of the Civilian Office of
Police Accountability or the Chief Administrator’s designee.
“Coercion” means the use of improper or unlawful force or threats, express or
implied, in order to compel a person to act against his or her will. As defined
herein, “coercion” includes compelling a person to make statements.
“Domestic violence” means physical abuse (other than sexual abuse),
harassment, stalking, intimidation or violations of orders of protection (or similar
court orders) involving a sworn officer’s family or household member. As used in
this definition, the term “family or household member” means spouses or former
spouses; parents, children or stepchildren whether by blood or adoption; persons
who share or formerly shared a common dwelling; persons who have or are alleged
to have a child in common; or persons who have or have had a dating or engagement
relationship.
“Excessive force” means a police officer’s application of force which, either
because of the type of force employed, or the extent to which such force is employed,
exceeds the force that reasonably appears to be necessary under all the
circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether any use of force was
appropriate.
“Final report” means the final report concerning an investigation conducted
by the Office that is prepared after the conclusion of the process set forth in Section
2-78-130.
“Military status” has the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 2-160-020.
“Office” means the Civilian Office of Police Accountability established in this
chapter.

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“Police Board” means the Police Board established in Chapter 2-84 of this
Code.
“Police Department” means the Department of Police established in Chapter
2-84 of this Code.
“Superintendent” means the Superintendent of Police or the Superintendent’s
designee.
“Verbal abuse” means the use of oral or written remarks that are overtly
insulting, mocking or belittling, directed at a person based upon the actual or
perceived race, immigration status, color, gender, age, religion, ancestry, national
origin, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, parental status, military
discharge status, source of income, or gender identity or expression of that person.
“Verbal abuse” shall also include any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for
sexual favors.
2-78-105

Civilian Office of Police Accountability – Establishment and
Composition.

There is hereby established an office of the municipal government to be
known as the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which shall include the Chief
Administrator and such deputies, assistants and other employees as required to
perform the Office’s powers and duties as set forth in this Chapter. The Office shall
be located in a facility separate from the Police Department.
2-78-110

Purpose.

The mission of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability is to provide a just
and efficient means to fairly and timely conduct investigations within its
jurisdiction, including investigations of alleged police misconduct and to determine
whether those allegations are well-founded, applying a preponderance of the
evidence standard; to identify and address patterns of police misconduct; and, based
on information obtained through such investigations, to make policy
recommendations to improve the Chicago Police Department and reduce incidents
of police misconduct.
2-78-115

Chief Administrator – Qualifications and Appointment.

The Chief Administrator shall be the chief executive officer of the Office, shall
serve a term of four (4) years, and at the conclusion of such term may be considered
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for reappointment. The Chief Administrator may only be removed from office for
cause in accordance with Section 2-78-155.
Upon the effective date of this Ordinance, the individual serving as the Chief
Administrator of the Independent Police Review Authority shall become the first
Chief Administrator of the Office. Such Chief Administrator, or, if such individual
shall resign or otherwise vacate such office, a successor selected by the Mayor and
approved by the City Council, shall continue to serve as Chief Administrator of the
Office until a permanent method of selecting the Office’s Chief Administrator shall
be enacted by the City Council and become effective.
The Chief Administrator shall have the following minimum qualifications:
(a)
An attorney with substantial experience in criminal, civil rights,
and/or labor law, or corporate and/or governmental investigations; or an individual
with substantial experience in law enforcement oversight, or investigating employee
or other wrongdoing;
(b)
Knowledge of law enforcement, particularly of internal investigations
of wrongdoing and use of force;
(c)
A commitment to and knowledge of the need for and responsibilities of
law enforcement, as well as the need to protect basic constitutional rights of all
affected parties;
(d)
Demonstrated
leadership; and
(e)

integrity,

professionalism,

sound

judgment,

and

The ability to work with diverse groups and individuals.

The Chief Administrator shall not be a current or former sworn employee of
the Police Department, a non-sworn employee of the Police Department within the
last five years, or an employee of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office within
the last five years.
2-78-120

Office and Chief Administrator – Powers and Duties.

The Office and Chief Administrator shall have the following powers and
duties:
(a) To receive and register all complaints filed against members of the
Police Department;
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(b) To conduct investigations into complaints against members of the
Police Department alleging domestic violence, excessive force, coercion, or verbal
abuse;
(c)
To conduct investigations into all incidents, including those in which
no allegation of misconduct is made, in which a Police Department member
discharges: (i) a firearm in a manner that potentially could strike another
individual, (ii) a stun gun or taser in a manner that results in death or serious
bodily injury, or (iii) in the Chief Administrator’s discretion, other discharges of a
stun gun or taser;
(d) To conduct investigations into incidents, including those in which no
allegation of misconduct is made, where a person dies or sustains a serious bodily
injury while detained or in Police Department custody, or as a result of police
actions, such as during attempts to apprehend a suspect;
(e) To conduct investigations into all incidents of an “officer-involved
death,” as that term is defined in 50 ILCS 727/1-5;
(f)
To conduct investigations into complaints against members of the
Police Department alleging improper search or seizure of either individuals or
property, or unlawful denial of access to counsel;
(g) To forward all complaints filed against members of the Police
Department, other than those set forth in paragraphs (b) – (f) of this Section, to the
Police Department’s Bureau of Internal Affairs;
(h) In the Chief Administrator’s discretion, to review or reassess the
Office’s prior investigations involving allegations of police misconduct that were
also the subject of a lawsuit against the Police Department or one or more of its
members, or against the City, where such lawsuit was subsequently:
(i)

settled; or

(ii)
resolved by a judgment against such member, the Police
Department or the City;
(i)
To refer a complaint against a member of the Police Department
within the Office’s jurisdiction to mediation, except for complaints alleging the use
of excessive force and cases of domestic violence. The Office shall promulgate rules
governing such mediations, which shall provide that the complainant, if any, shall
be notified of and be provided an opportunity to participate in the mediation;
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(j)
To conduct investigations within its jurisdiction in a manner consistent
with Article IV of Chapter 2-84 of this Code, the rules established by the Police
Board, and any other applicable laws and rules;
(k) Subject to applicable law, to review the complaint history of a member
of the Police Department in order to inform a current investigation;
(l)
To recommend to the Superintendent, with respect to incidents within
its jurisdiction, appropriate disciplinary or other remedial action against members
of the Police Department found to be in violation of any applicable Police
Department rules, including rules related to the duty to provide truthful
information regarding the officer’s own conduct and the conduct of others, and the
duty to report the misconduct of others. Such remedial action may include, but is
not limited to, reassignment, additional training, or counseling;
(m) Based on information obtained through investigations conducted
pursuant to this Section, to recommend to the Superintendent, the Chairman of
the City Council Committee on Public Safety, and the Police Board revisions to the
Police Department’s policies, practices, collective bargaining agreements, programs
and training in order to improve the accountability, effectiveness, integrity and
transparency of the Police Department;
(n) To conduct investigations to determine whether members of the Police
Department are engaging in patterns or practices of misconduct, and, where a
pattern or practice of misconduct is found, recommend revisions to the Police
Department’s policies, practices, programs, and training in order to address and
eliminate such patterns or practices;
(o) Subject to applicable law, to have full access to all information in the
possession or control of the Police Department, the Police Board, and any other
City department or agency in order to conduct investigations within the Chief
Administrator’s jurisdiction;
(p) To issue subpoenas to compel the attendance and testimony of
witnesses and the production of documents and other items relevant to an
investigation within its jurisdiction. Issuance of subpoenas shall be subject to
Section 2-78-125;
(q) To promulgate rules and procedures for the conduct of the Office and
its investigations consistent with due process of law, equal protection under the
law, and all other applicable local, state and federal laws, and in accordance with
Section 2-78-170;
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(r)
To set minimum qualifications and appropriate screening procedures
for all persons to be considered for employment by the Office, and to set
appropriate staffing levels to carry out the powers and duties set forth herein;
(s) To address Police Department personnel and community groups, and
inform the public, on the mission, policies and ongoing operations of the Office;
(t)
To develop and implement a process for allowing citizens to file
complaints by various means, including submission of complaints using the
Internet, by telephone, and at community meetings;
(u) In the Chief Administrator’s discretion, to review and investigate the
facts of individual civil lawsuits filed against the Police Department and/or its
officers or employees and motions to suppress evidence filed in criminal matters
that are granted or that establish a prima facie case of police misconduct, in order
to identify and investigate incidents of police misconduct or to make
recommendations to improve Police Department policies and practices within the
Office’s jurisdiction;
(v) To appear before the Committee on Finance at public hearings at
which proposed settlements of lawsuits and controverted claims against the Police
Department or its members are submitted for approval, and, subject to any
applicable legal constraints regarding confidentiality: (i) provide a report on any
and all investigations involving Police Department members who are named
parties to said lawsuits or controverted claims, and (ii) reply to questions from
members of the City Council regarding such reports; and
(w) In the Chief Administrator’s discretion, to reopen any of its closed
investigations, if:
(i)

The Chief Administrator becomes aware of evidence not
available at the time the investigation was closed that could
materially affect the results of that investigation;

(ii)

The Chief Administrator determines that the manner in which
the investigation was concluded has resulted in a gross
miscarriage of justice; or

(iii)

Following a review or audit of an investigation by the Deputy
Inspector General for Public Safety, the Deputy Inspector
General for Public Safety recommends that the investigation be
reopened. If the Chief Administrator declines to reopen a closed
investigation pursuant to this subparagraph (ii), the Chief
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 An Ordinance in Relation to Police Oversight
Establishment of COPA and PSD

Administrator shall provide a written explanation of its reasons
to the Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety.
Nothing in this Chapter shall preclude the Chief Administrator from
referring a complaint or information concerning a member of the Police Department
to the Office of the Inspector General, or to appropriate federal, state or local law
enforcement authorities. Nor shall anything in this Chapter preclude the Office
from conducting an investigation within its jurisdiction concurrently with an active
criminal investigation.
2-78-125

Subpoenas.

The Office may administer oaths and secure by subpoena both the attendance
and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant information. A subpoena
shall be served in the same manner as subpoenas issued under the Rules of the
Illinois Supreme Court to compel appearance of a deponent, and subject to the same
witness and mileage fees fixed by law for such subpoenas.
A subpoena issued under this Chapter shall identify the person to whom it is
directed and the documents or other items sought thereby, if any, and the date, time
and place for the appearance of the witness and production of the documents or
other items described in the subpoena. In no event shall the date for examination
or production be less than seven days after service of the subpoena.
2-78-130
(a)

Decisions, Recommendations.
Disciplinary-Related Recommendations.

(i)
If the Chief Administrator issues a recommendation of
discipline, or other, non-disciplinary remedial action with regard to one or
more members of the Police Department, the Superintendent shall respond to
such recommendation within 60 days (for purposes of this Section, the
“Review Period”). The Superintendent’s response shall include either: (1) a
confirmation that the recommendation was followed with respect to the
employee in question, and, if applicable, a description of any additional
disciplinary or other action imposed by the Superintendent; (2) a request that
the Chief Administrator conduct additional investigation, specifying the
additional investigation that is requested, and the reason(s) for that request;
or (3) if the Superintendent intends to take no action, or intends to take
action that differs in substance and/or scope from the recommendation, the
information required under subsection (a)(ii) of this Article. Upon request of
the Superintendent, such Review Period may be extended for up to 30
additional days, for a total Review Period not to exceed 90 days.
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(ii)
If the Superintendent intends to take no action, or intends to
take action different from that recommended by the Chief Administrator, the
Superintendent shall describe the proposed different action and explain the
reasons for it in a written response.
The Superintendent’s response shall be submitted to the Chief
Administrator within the Review Period.
(iii) Within ten business days after the submission of a response that
proposes no action or different action than that recommended by the Chief
Administrator, the Superintendent and the Chief Administrator shall meet to
discuss the Superintendent's response. If, after meeting, the Chief
Administrator and the Superintendent do not agree to the Chief
Administrator’s recommendation, the Chief Administrator shall, within five
business days of such impasse, send the Superintendent's response, along
with the Chief Administrator's written objections to the response, to a
member of the Police Board selected by the Police Board from its
membership, with notice and a copy of all such materials to the
Superintendent. The selected member shall, within ten business days of
receipt of such response and objections, review the Chief Administrator’s
recommendation, the Superintendent's response, and the Chief
Administrator's objections. Upon request of the member, the Superintendent
and Chief Administrator may be required to present additional
documentation or arguments in support of their positions. If, in the opinion of
the member, the Superintendent does not meet his burden of overcoming the
Chief Administrator’s recommendation for discipline, the recommendation
shall be deemed accepted by the Superintendent. If, in the opinion of the
member, the Superintendent has met his burden, the Superintendent’s
response shall be implemented. The member panel shall recuse himself from
any future involvement with the case by the full Police Board.
(iv) A response of the Superintendent that proposes to take no action
or action different from that recommended by the Chief Administrator shall
not be valid or effective until the process of subsection (a)(iii) of this Section is
completed.
(v)
If the Superintendent does not respond to the Chief
Administrator’s recommendation within the Review Period, such
recommendation shall be deemed accepted, and shall be implemented, by the
Superintendent.

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(vi) Nothing in this Chapter shall limit the Superintendent's ability
to impose additional action to that recommended by the Chief Administrator,
including discipline that is more severe than that recommended by the Chief
Administrator or non-disciplinary remedial actions in addition to the
discipline recommended by the Chief Administrator.
(b)

Policy, Program and Practices Recommendations.

If the Chief Administrator issues a recommendation or report to the
Superintendent concerning a policy, program, or practice of the Police Department,
the Superintendent shall respond to such recommendation or report within 60 days
of receipt. Such response shall include a description of the actions the
Superintendent has taken or is planning to take, if any, with respect to the issues
raised in the report or recommendation. If the Superintendent declines to
implement one or more of the Chief Administrator’s recommendations, such
response shall explain the reasons for doing so.
(c)
Neither the Office nor the Police Department shall publicly disclose the
recommendations or responses provided in this Section before the processes set
forth in this Section are completed.
2-78-135

Investigations not concluded within six months.

If the Office does not conclude an investigation of alleged misconduct within
six months after its initiation, the Chief Administrator shall notify, within five days
after the end of the six-month period, the Mayor or his designee, the
Superintendent, the Chairman of the City Council Committee on Public Safety, the
complainant, and the employee named in the complaint, or his or her counsel, of the
general nature of the complaint or information giving rise to the investigation and
the reasons for the Office’s failure to complete the investigation within six months.
Thereafter, the Office shall provide an update to such notice, including the same
information and notification to the same individuals, every six months until the
investigation is completed.
2-78-140

Cooperation in investigations.

It shall be a condition of employment for every officer, employee, department,
and agency of the City to cooperate with the Office in any investigation undertaken
pursuant to this Chapter. Any employee or appointed officer of the City who
violates any provision of this Chapter shall be subject to discipline, including but
not limited to discharge, in addition to any other penalty provided in this Chapter.

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2-78-145

Final reports – Open to public inspection.

All Final Reports of the Office shall be posted on the Office’s website and
open to public inspection, except to the extent that information contained therein is
exempted from disclosure by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act or any other
applicable law. Upon posting a Final Report, the Office shall provide notice to the
complainant, if there is one, providing instructions to enable the complainant to
access the report.
2-78-150
Quarterly and annual reports to Legislative and Executive
Branches.
(a)

Quarterly Reports.

No later than the fifteenth day of, April, July and October of each year, the
Chief Administrator shall post on the Office website for public review and file with
the Mayor or his designee, the Superintendent, the Chairman of the City Council
Committee on Public Safety, and the office of the City Clerk, a quarterly report
providing information based on data through the end of the preceding month on: (1)
the number of investigations initiated during that quarterly reporting period; (2)
the number of investigations concluded during that quarterly reporting period, and
of those investigations, the number that took more than six months to conclude; (3)
the number of investigations pending as of the end of that quarterly reporting
period; (4) the number of complaints not sustained during that quarterly reporting
period; (5) the number of complaints sustained during that quarterly reporting
period; (6) the number of complaints filed as to each Police Department district
during the quarterly reporting period; (7) without identifying any individual police
officer, the number of complaints filed against each police officer in each Police
Department district during the quarterly reporting period; and (8) the number of
complaints referred to other agencies during the quarterly reporting period and the
identity of such other agencies. Such quarterly reports shall also summarize any
reports or recommendations issued to the Superintendent concerning the policies,
programs, and practices of the Police Department, and the Superintendent’s
response to such reports or recommendations.
(b)

Annual Reports.

No later than the fifteenth day of February of each year, the Chief
Administrator shall post on the Office’s website for public review and file with the
Mayor or his designee, the Superintendent, the Chairman of the City Council
Committee on Public Safety, the Office of the City Clerk, and the Deputy Inspector
General for Public Safety, an annual report providing information based on data
during the prior calendar year on: (1) the number of investigations initiated during
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the prior calendar year; (2) the number of investigations concluded during the prior
calendar year, and of those investigations, the number that took more than six
months to conclude; (3) the number of investigations pending as of the last day of
the prior calendar year; (4) the number of complaints not sustained during the prior
calendar year; (5) the number of complaints sustained during the prior calendar
year; (6) the number of complaints filed as to each Police Department district
during the prior calendar year; (7) without identifying any individual police officer,
the number of complaints filed against each police officer in each Police Department
district during the prior calendar year; and (8) the number of complaints referred to
other agencies during the prior calendar year and the identity of such other
agencies.
Such annual reports shall also describe and summarize the results of the
Office’s investigations and the Office’s other activities and performance during the
prior calendar year.
Finally, such annual reports shall summarize any reports or
recommendations issued to the Superintendent concerning the policies, programs,
and practices of the Police Department during the prior calendar year, and the
Superintendent’s responses to such reports and recommendations.
2-78-155

Chief administrator – Conditions for removal from office.

Prior to serving a complete term, the Chief Administrator may be removed
only for cause and in accordance with this Section. The Mayor shall give written
notice to the Chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety and the
Chief Administrator of his intent to remove the Chief Administrator, and the reason
for the proposed removal. Within ten days after receipt of the notice, the Chief
Administrator may file with the Chairman of the City Council’s Committee on
Public Safety a request for hearing on the cause for removal. If no such request is
made within ten days, the Chief Administrator shall be deemed to have resigned his
or her office as of the tenth day after receipt of the notice of intended removal. If
such a request is made, the City Council Committee on Public Safety shall convene
a hearing on the cause for removal of the Chief Administrator, at which the Chief
Administrator may appear, be represented by counsel, and be heard. The hearing
shall be convened within ten days after receipt of the request for the hearing and
conclude within 14 days thereafter. The Mayor's notice of intended removal shall
constitute the charge against the Chief Administrator. Removal of the Chief
Administrator for cause after the hearing shall require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the members of the City Council.
2-78-160

Retaliation, obstruction or interference prohibited – Penalty.
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(a)
Retaliation. No person shall retaliate against, punish, intimidate,
discourage, threaten or penalize any other person for reporting misconduct, making
a misconduct complaint, conducting an investigation, complaining to officials,
providing information, testimony or documents in an investigation, or cooperating
with or assisting the Office in the performance of its powers and duties as set forth
in this Chapter.
(b)
Obstruction or interference. No person shall wilfully refuse to comply
with a subpoena issued by the Office, or otherwise knowingly interfere with or
obstruct an investigation conducted by the Office.
(c)
Penalty. Any person who wilfully violates this Section shall be subject
to a fine of not less than $1,000.00 and not more than $5,000.00 for each such
offense, or imprisonment for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than six
months, or both a fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues shall
constitute a separate and distinct offense. Actions seeking the imposition of a fine
only shall be filed as quasi-criminal actions subject to the provisions of the Illinois
Code of Civil Procedure. Actions seeking incarceration, or incarceration and a fine,
shall be filed and prosecuted as misdemeanor actions under the procedure set forth
in Section 1-2-1.1 of the Illinois Municipal Code, 65 ILCS 5/1-2-1.1.
2-78-165

Violation – Penalty – Discharge or other discipline.

Any employee or appointed officer of the City who violates any provision of
this Chapter shall be subject to discipline, including but not limited to discharge, in
addition to any other penalty provided in this Chapter.
2-78-170

Rules and Procedures.

The Chief Administrator is authorized to adopt such rules and procedures as
the Chief Administrator may deem appropriate for the proper administration and
enforcement of this Chapter. All such rules and procedures shall be adopted only
after posting of the rules and procedures proposed to be adopted on the Office
website at least 30 days prior to the effective date of such rules and procedures.
Upon adoption, the Chief Administrator shall maintain a copy of the rules and
procedures on file at the Office, which copy shall be made available for public
inspection during regular business hours. The Chief Administrator shall also
publicly post such rules and procedures on the Office website, subject to any
limitations imposed by applicable law.
2-78-175

Accountability.

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The Chief Administrator and the Office are subject to review and audit by the
Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety pursuant to Chapter 2-56 of the
Municipal Code.
2-78-180

Transition.

The Chief Administrator of the Office and the Office, respectively, shall
assume all rights and powers of the former chief administrator of the Independent
Police Review Authority and the former Independent Police Review Authority. All
books, records, property and funds relating to the former Independent Police Review
Authority and such rights and powers are transferred to the Office. Without
limitation, the Chief Administrator and the Office shall succeed the former Chief
Administrator of the Independent Police Review Authority and the Independent
Police Review Authority in administering and investigating all pending matters
under the jurisdiction of the former Independent Police Review Authority, in
addition to new matters within the jurisdiction of the Office pursuant to this
Chapter.
SECTION 5.
Delivery of necessary information. Upon the effective date
of this Ordinance, the incumbent Chief Administrator of the Independent Police
Review Authority shall deliver to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability:
(a)
A list of all investigations then pending before the Independent Police
Review Authority, together with a concise and accurate summary of each such
investigation, including its status; and
(b)
A list of all complaints received by the Independent Police Review
Authority that have not yet resulted in the opening of an investigation; and
(c)
All documents, records and files in the possession, custody or control of
the Independent Police Review Authority; and
(d)
Any and all other materials and equipment, including but not limited
to, information technology hardware and software, that were used to carry on the
operations of the Independent Police Review Authority.
SECTION 6.
Section 2-56-030 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby
amended by adding the underscored text, as follows:
2-56-030 Inspector general – Powers and duties.
In addition to other powers conferred herein, the inspector general shall have
the following powers and duties:
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(Omitted text is unaffected by this amendment)
(l)
To select, subject to the approval of the City Council, and supervise the
Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety established by Sections 2-56-200
through 2-56-280 of this Chapter.
SECTION 7.
Chapter 2-56 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby
amended by inserting new sections 2-56-200 through 2-56-280, as follows:
2-56-200

Public Safety Deputy - Definitions.

The following terms wherever used in sections 2-56-200 through 2-56-280
shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning appears from the
context:
“Office” means the Civilian Office of Police Accountability established in
Chapter 2-78.
“Police Board” means the Police Board established in Chapter 2-84.
“Police Department” means the Chicago Department of Police established in
Chapter 2-84.
“Public Safety Deputy” means the Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety
established in this Chapter.
“Superintendent” means the Superintendent of Police or the Superintendent’s
designee.
2-56-210

Public Safety Deputy – Establishment – Composition.

There is hereby established within the Office of the Inspector General a
section to be known as the Office of the Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety,
which shall include the Public Safety Deputy and such assistants and other
employees as may be required to implement the Public Safety Deputy’s powers and
duties as set forth in Sections 2-56-200 through 2-56-280. The Public Safety Deputy
shall be appointed pursuant to Section 2-56-220, and may be removed from office
only for cause pursuant to Section 2-56-280.
2-56-220

Public Safety Deputy – Qualifications and Appointment.
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(a)

Qualifications.

The Public Safety Deputy shall have the following minimum qualifications:
(i)
An attorney with substantial experience in criminal, civil rights,
and/or labor law, or corporate and/or governmental investigations; or an individual
with substantial experience in law enforcement oversight, preferably with a
graduate degree.
(ii)
Knowledge of law enforcement, particularly of internal investigations
of wrongdoing and use of force.
(iii) A commitment to and knowledge of the need for and responsibilities of
law enforcement, as well as the need to protect basic constitutional rights of all
affected parties.
(iv) Demonstrated
leadership.
(v)

integrity,

professionalism,

sound

judgment,

and

The ability to work with diverse groups and individuals.

The Public Safety Deputy shall not be a current or former employee of the
Police Department, the Independent Police Review Authority, the Civilian Office of
Police Accountability, or the Police Board.
(b)

Selection Process.

Within 15 days of the effective date of this Ordinance, and thereafter within
15 days of an actual or expected vacancy in the position of Public Safety Deputy
because of death, resignation, removal, or the Inspector General’s decision not to
reappoint an incumbent Public Safety Deputy, the Inspector General is authorized
to, and shall, engage a nationally recognized organization with expertise in
government oversight to perform a nationwide search and to create a pool of no less
than ten or more than 20 of the most qualified candidates for the position of Public
Safety Deputy. The organization shall submit the identities of these candidates,
including resumes, qualifications, and statements detailing each candidate’s
credentials, to the Inspector General.
The Inspector General shall select and nominate the most qualified candidate
for approval by the City Council. If the City Council rejects the candidate, the
Inspector General shall select and nominate another candidate from the pool, until
the candidate selected and nominated by the Inspector General is approved by the
City Council.
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(c)

Term.

The term of the Public Safety Deputy shall commence upon his approval by
the City Council, and shall continue for the remaining term of the incumbent
Inspector General. Thereafter, the Public Safety Deputy’s term shall be coterminous
with the term of the appointing Inspector General. At the conclusion of a term, the
incumbent Public Safety Deputy may be reappointed by a reappointed Inspector
General, subject to approval by the City Council. If the incumbent Public Safety
Deputy is not reappointed, the Inspector General shall select a new Public Safety
Deputy pursuant to the process set forth in this Section, subject to the approval of
the City Council. The Public Safety Deputy shall continue to serve until a successor
Public Safety Deputy is approved by the City Council.
2-56-230

Public Safety Deputy – Powers and duties.

The Public Safety Deputy is empowered to initiate reviews and audits of the
Police Department, the Office and the Police Board with the goal of enhancing the
effectiveness of the Police Department, the Office and the Police Board; increasing
public safety, protecting civil liberties and civil rights; and increasing the public’s
confidence in the police force, thus building stronger police-community relations.
The Public Safety Deputy shall have the authority to make
recommendations, based on its reviews and audits, to the Police Department, the
Police Board and the Office with respect to changes in policies, procedures,
practices, operations, directives, training and equipment to address any deficiencies
or problems or implement any improvements identified by its reviews and audits.
The Public Safety Deputy is also authorized to make recommendations to other City
departments and agencies that it determines are necessary or helpful to effect its
recommendations as to the Police Department, the Police Board, and the Office.
In order to carry out these functions, the Public Safety Deputy shall have the
following powers and duties:
(a)
To conduct periodic analysis and evaluation of the results of all closed
disciplinary investigations conducted by the Office and the Police Department to
identify trends and summarize the number and results of such investigations, and
to issue an annual report concerning such analysis and evaluation, and the
performance of the police disciplinary system more generally;
(b)
To conduct reviews and audits of particular policies, procedures or
practices of the Police Department, the Office, and the Police Board with respect to
police disciplinary investigations and hearings, and to make findings and
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recommendations based on those findings to inform and improve future
investigations and hearings;
(c)
To review and audit individual closed Office and Police Department
disciplinary investigations, and to make findings and recommendations based on
those findings: (i) to inform and improve future investigations and ensure that they
are complete, thorough, objective, and fair; and (ii) if it finds a deficiency that it
concludes materially affected the outcome of the investigation, recommend that the
investigation be reopened;
(d)
To review and audit the Police Department’s policies, practices,
programs and training (i) with respect to constitutional policing, discipline and use
of force, or (ii) that affect the Police Department’s integrity, transparency, and
relationship with City residents; and to make recommendations to the
Superintendent and the Chairman of the City Council Committee on Public Safety
to address problems or deficiencies or make improvements in such policies,
practices, programs and training;
(e)
To review, audit and analyze civil judgments and settlements of claims
against members of the Police Department, and to issue recommendations based on
its findings to inform and improve or correct deficiencies in the conduct or operation
of the Police Department and its members;
(f)
To review and audit all sustained findings and disciplinary
recommendations by the Police Department, the Office and the Police Board for the
purpose of assessing trends and determining whether discipline is consistently and
fairly applied, and determining whether disciplinary recommendations are being
carried out;
(g)
To address community groups and inform the public on the mission,
policies and ongoing operations of the Public Safety Deputy;
(h)
Subject to applicable law, to have full access to all information in the
possession or control of the Police Department, the Office, the Police Board, and any
other City department or agency in order to conduct any review or audit within the
Public Safety Deputy’s jurisdiction; and
(i)
To set minimum qualifications and appropriate screening procedures
for all persons to be considered for employment by the Public Safety Deputy, and to
set appropriate staffing levels to carry out the powers and duties set forth herein;
provided, however, that no employee of the Public Safety Deputy shall be a current
or former employee of the Police Department, the Police Board, the Independent
Police Review Authority, or the Office.
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2-56-240
(a)

Public Safety Deputy – Reports.
Reporting the results of individual reviews or audits.

Upon concluding a review or audit, the Public Safety Deputy shall issue a
written report setting forth its findings and conclusions and recommendations to
the entity or entities that were the subject of the review or audit (i.e. the Police
Department, the Police Board, and/or the Office). The report shall include:
(1)
A description of the scope of the review or audit, the categories
of information collected in connection with the review or audit, and the
method of conducting the review or audit;
(2)
The Public Safety Deputy’s findings and conclusions, including
findings or conclusions with respect to any problems, deficiencies, or
improvements observed or discovered in the course of the review or audit;
(3)
The Public Safety Deputy’s recommendations for addressing any
problems or deficiencies, or implementing any improvements, described in
the report; and
(4)
Such other information as the Public Safety Deputy may deem
relevant to the review or audit, or its findings, conclusions, and
recommendations.
(b)

Annual report.

The Public Safety Deputy shall publish an annual report that summarizes its
reviews and audits conducted during the prior calendar year, and that reports on
the Public Safety Deputy’s analysis of information, including patterns and trends,
during the prior calendar year, the outcomes of individual reviews or audits, and its
recommendations during the prior calendar year. The annual report shall also
report on the status of the Police Department’s, the Police Board’s and the Office’s
adoption of the Public Safety Deputy’s previous recommendations.
The Public Safety Deputy shall make all reports prepared under this Section
publicly available in accordance with Section 2-56-250.
2-56-245

Response to Recommendations by the Public Safety Deputy.

If the Public Safety Deputy’s report includes recommendations concerning
the Police Department, the Police Board, or the Office, that entity must submit a
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written response to such recommendation within 60 days of its receipt of the Public
Safety Deputy’s report. The response shall include either (1) a description of any
corrective or other actions taken or to be taken in response to the recommendation,
(2) the basis for rejecting the recommendation in whole or in part, or (3) a request
for a 30-day extension for making its response if additional time is needed by the
entity to respond to the recommendation.
2-56-250
Publication of the Public Safety Deputy’s
responses to the Public Safety Deputy’s recommendations.

reports

and

Upon receipt of the response(s) to its reports and recommendations, the
Public Safety Deputy shall promptly post the report and recommendations and all
responses thereto on the Public Safety Deputy’s website for public review and serve
copies on the Mayor or his designee and the Chairman of the City Council
Committee on Public Safety, except to the extent they contain information that is
exempted from disclosure by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act or any other
applicable law.
Neither the Public Safety Deputy nor the Police Department, the Police
Board or the Office shall publicly disclose any recommendations or responses
provided in Section 2-56-240(a) and Section 2-56-245 before the processes set forth
in Section 2-56-245 are completed.
2-56-260

Public Safety Deputy – Cooperation in reviews or audits.

It shall be the duty of every officer, employee, department, and agency of the
City to cooperate with the Public Safety Deputy in any review or audit undertaken
pursuant to sections 2-56-200 through 2-56-280.
2-56-270
Public Safety Deputy – Retaliation, Obstruction or Interference
Prohibited – Penalty.
(a)
Retaliation. No person shall retaliate against, punish, intimidate,
discourage, threaten or penalize any other person for providing information,
testimony or documents to, or otherwise cooperating with or assisting the Public
Safety Deputy in the performance of his duties.
(b)
Obstruction or interference. No person shall knowingly interfere with
or obstruct a review or audit authorized by this Chapter and conducted by an
announced employee of the Public Safety Deputy.
(c)
Penalty. Any person who wilfully violates this section shall be subject
to a fine of not less than $1,000.00 and not more than $5,000.00 for each such
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offense, or imprisonment for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than six
months, or both a fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues shall
constitute a separate and distinct offense. Actions seeking the imposition of a fine
only shall be filed as quasi-criminal actions subject to the provisions of the Illinois
Code of Civil Procedure. Actions seeking incarceration, or incarceration and a fine,
shall be filed and prosecuted as misdemeanor actions under the procedure set forth
in Section 1-2-1.1 of the Illinois Municipal Code, 65 ILCS 5/1-2-1.1.
2-56-280

Public Safety Deputy – Conditions for removal from office.

Prior to serving a complete term, the Public Safety Deputy may be removed
only for cause and in accordance with this Section. The Inspector General shall give
written notice to the Mayor, the Chairman of the City Council’s Committee on
Public Safety, and the Public Safety Deputy of his intent to remove the Public
Safety Deputy and stating the reasons for the proposed removal. Within ten days
after receipt of the notice, the Public Safety Deputy may file with the Mayor and the
Chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety a request for hearing on
the cause for removal. If no such request is made within ten days, the Public Safety
Deputy shall be deemed to have resigned his or her office as of the tenth day after
receipt of the notice of intended removal. If such a request is made, the Chairman
of the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety shall convene a hearing on the
cause for removal of the Public Safety Deputy, at which the Public Safety Deputy
may appear, be represented by counsel, and be heard. The hearing shall be
convened within 21 days after receipt of the request for the hearing and conclude
within 35 days thereafter. The Inspector General's notice of intended removal shall
constitute the charge against the Public Safety Deputy. Removal of the Public
Safety Deputy for cause after the hearing shall require the approval of the City
Council.
SECTION 9.
With the exception of Section 2, this Ordinance shall take effect
10 days after its passage and publication. Upon this Ordinance’s becoming effective,
it shall be implemented, and the offices established thereby shall be created,
promptly and in a coordinated fashion, with full implementation to be achieved no
later than January 1, 2017. Section 2 shall become effective when, in the discretion
of the Chief Administrator, the Office has been established and is functioning to the
point that it can assume the duties and investigations previously discharged by the
Independent Police Review Authority.

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