Advocates for victims of police brutality are criticizing a Chicago ordinance that would create an independent police review board.
Chicago Public Radio Sonari Glinton has the story.
Under the ordinance the Mayor would have direct control of the Office of Professional Standards NOT the police department.
The office would have the ability to investigate a variety of complaints against police.
But, victims advocates want more community input and they also want the agency to have jurisdiction over accusations of police coercion
Professor Craig Futterman researches police brutality at the University of Chicago Law School.
FUTTERMAN: What I’m concerned about is in this haste...to make a good headline that we simply recreate history. So we have another ineffective agency. So, we have the appearance that we’re actually doing something that makes us all have confidence and faith. And then we have the same old story at the end of the day.
As a separate department the new department would have subpoena power and would have to complete inquiries within six months.
The full city council is expected to vote on the ordinance, this Wednesday.
I’m Sonari Glinton, Chicago Public Radio