Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s top appointee to the civilian agency that rules on police misconduct cases reiterated her call Wednesday for City Hall to make changes to the police union’s contract, singling out a long-standing requirement that citizens sign sworn affidavits to make a complaint.
Police Board President Lori Lightfoot called the requirement “a very big issue that stands in the way of legitimacy related to the investigation of citizens’ complaints,” adding that it’s something “that’s gotta change.”
The requirement, part of the contract guidelines with the Fraternal Order of Police, prevents a flood of frivolous complaints. Lightfoot and others contend that it intimidates citizens who might otherwise file legitimate grievances.
Law Officer Editor In Chief Travis Yates disagrees with Lightfoot.
“How can anyone think that a complaint is “legitimate” if there are no precautions to ensure that a citizen is not lying. We are talking about police officers that have dedicated their life to a community. They have families and a reputation and to open up a complaint process that promotes lies against those officers is about as irresponsible of an act I can think of.”
Changing the process would be difficult, given the union’s stated opposition, but Lightfoot suggested the public play a role by creating “a groundswell of support” for changes to the contract.
