Since the dash cam video release from the Chicago Police Department, doubt has been raised on the department’s dealings with the law.
In October, Officer Jason Van Dyke shot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times, leaving him for dead. The city finally released the dashcam video, showing the incident which lead to Dyke being charged with murder.
Chicago police reports on the shooting are remarkably different from what is actually seen on the dashcam video.
“Chicago as a city will be better for it. We accept it, and we need it,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said on Monday, December 7, referring to welcoming the U.S. Justice Department’s investigations of the city police.
“Nothing is more important to me than the safety and well-being of our residents and ensuring that the men and women of our Police Department have tools, resources and training they need to be effective crime fighters, stay safe, and build community trust,” the Chicago Mayor said.
Emanuel’s warm welcome of the investigation has roots in his believe that they have mutual goals of keeping the citizens of Chicago safe and respecting their rights.
The investigation will focus on the use of force, deadly force, accountability and how the Chicago PD “tracks and treats” incidents, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said. The investigation is to determine whether the Chicago Police Department have a habit of violating the law, according to Lynch.
“When suspicion and hostility is allowed to fester it can erupt into unrest,” Lynch stated. She also assured the investigation to aim to improve systems, and not to target individuals.
Image via Flickr/union person
