AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/independent-police-review-authority/)
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) held a community meeting earlier this week at Hope Community Church; the new city office will be back in Austin Feb. 13 to educate more residents about the work its doing to investigate police misconduct in Chicago.
During the 29th Ward’s monthly community meeting, residents questioned whether the newly formed Civilian Office of Police Accountability is truly independent, and some expressed reluctance to file complaints, saying they fear harassment.
A day before the third anniversary of teenager Laquan McDonald being shot to death by a Chicago cop, members of the Central Austin Neighborhood Association and activists from Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) demanded changes of the city’s top law-enforcement officials.
The civil rights group and 29th Ward Ald. Chris Taliaferro say a vote should not be rushed on the proposal to replace the troubled disciplinary body.
West Sides also complained of disrespect at last week’s public hearing. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago City Council are trying to decide how to replace the Independent Police Review Authority.
Rep. La Shawn Ford, the author of HB6266, is hopeful the Illinois House will soon vote on the measure; the Senate also would need to approve it.
A longtime Austin pastor says Chicago’s Independent Police Review Authority should be disbanded immediately.
Legal avenues to increase civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department will be discussed at the NAACP-sponsored event March 8 at Jensen Elementary, 3030 W. Harrison.
Community members renew their call for Rahm Emanuel to resign while the mayor promises reform.
Elected officials, clergy urge residents to peacefully protest and avoid violence after they see the footage of Laquan McDonald’s death.