Daley announces police oversight changes

May 3, 2007 (WLS) -- Mayor Daley announced changes Thursday in the way Chicago police officers are investigated for wrong-doing. He said the Office of Professional Standards is suffering a public perception problem.

With one option, OPS may be taken out of the Chicago Police Department and turned into its own investigative agency with subpoena power. But critics contend the changes don't go far enough to ensure complaints against officers are thoroughly investigated.

The mayor has promised reform before -- but it has never gone far enough to quiet some critics. Now he is promising speedier investigations, more accountability and transparency in a process that is now largely shrouded in secrecy.

For years, the Office of Professional Standards has been a division of the Chicago Police Department, its budget and its decisions, and to an extent its effectiveness, all determined by the top cop.

"I think there's a perception out there, that they feel OPS is part and parcel to the police department. That's the perception unfortunately," said Daley.

From allegations of police torture under former Commander John Burge to the recent beating of a bartender by an off-duty Chicago police officer, the drumbeat for an independent investigative agency has been growing for years. Critics say the police can not be allowed to police themselves.

"The corruption has taken place on the watch of the present administration and former police chiefs -- so we need an independent police review board," said Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow-PUSH Coalition.

That point has been conceded by many members of the mayor's committee tasked with looking into OPS.

"I'm grateful we've come to the realization the Superintendent of the department is not the end all be all. There has to be an authority above him so the needs of the citizens of Chicago might be met," said Rev. Albert Tyson.

The new Office of Professional Standards will be an independent city department whose chief reports to the mayor. Its investigators will have subpoena authority. To some degree, OPS case summaries will be made public. And there will fines and punishment prescribed for members of the department who don't cooperate.

The union that represents the police vows to fight any attempts to release the names of officers accused of wrongdoing. Union leaders say appropriate civilian review is already in place because civilians, not police, are the ones who investigate cases for OPS.

"The announcement is attempting to appease misperceptions certain community groups have as to who the real OPS is and their connection to the Chicago Police Department," said Mark Donahue, Fraternal Order of Police President.

Under the old system, the buck stopped with the superintendent. OPS recommended a punishment but the superintendent had total lee-way. That's still true, but if the superintendent does not follow the OPS recommendation, he must explain why in writing and the OPS chief can appeal to the police board.

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