NCJ Number
59803
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF THE CHICAGO, ILL., POLICE FORCE USES CIVILIAN INVESTIGATORS FOLLOWING STRICT PROCEDURES TO HANDLE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS. BOTH CITIZENS AND OFFICERS LIKE THE SYSTEM.
Abstract
CITIZENS MAY MAKE A COMPLAINT BY WALKING INTO A PRECINCT STATION, BY TELEPHONING, OR BY WRITING. UPON RECEIPT OF THE COMPLAINT, THE INVESTIGATIVE STAFF DECIDES HOW RAPIDLY THE CASE MUST BE FOLLOWED UP. THIS DEPENDS ON THE NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT, THE AMOUNT OF TIME WHICH HAS ELAPSED SINCE THE ALLEGED INCIDENT TOOK PLACE, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF ON-DUTY PERSONNEL. IN SERIOUS CASES AN INVESTIGATOR IS DISPATCHED IMMEDIATELY. FULL INFORMATION IS GATHERED FROM BOTH THE CITIZEN AND THE OFFICER, A REPORT IS FILED, THE SUPERVISOR REVIEWS THE REPORT, AND THE CASE IS FORWARDED TO THE CHICAGO COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS, THE COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY, AND THE ACCUSED OFFICER'S IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR. EACH AGENCY SENDS ITS RECOMMENDATIONS BACK TO THE OFFICER OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS. IF THE POLICE OFFICER ACCEPTS THE DISCIPLINARY ACTION, THE CASE IS CLOSED. IF THE ACTION IS REJECTED, THE COMPLAINT REVIEW PANEL HEARS THE CASE, THEN SENDS ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, WHO MAKES THE FINAL DECISION. EACH STEP OF THE PROCESS IS EXPLAINED IN DETAIL. BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE HAVE ACCEPTED THIS PROCEDURE: THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE CIVILIANS ARE INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION AND DECISIONMAKING PROCESSES, THE POLICE BECAUSE PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS ARE BUILT IN. THIS IS CALLED THE FUTURE DIRECTION FOR POLICE DISCIPLINES. TABLES SUMMARIZE DISPOSITIONS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE YEAR 1973. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)