The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General announced on Apr. 9 that it has completed an inquiry into the Chicago Police Department’s practice of relieving certain officers of their police powers during pending misconduct investigations. The review found that the department risks inconsistency in these decisions and lacks sufficient documentation about how such choices are made.
This issue is important because relieving an officer of police powers can help protect public trust and prevent further harm, but unclear processes may lead to unfair outcomes for both the public and officers involved.
Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said, “Relieving a CPD member of police powers while under investigation for serious misconduct can safeguard CPD’s credibility and protect the public from additional harm. This action also carries costs for impacted CPD members, when lack of oversight, transparency, and documentation, as well as poor communication, can delay timely restoration of powers. CPD must balance its obligations for public safety and accountability with the personal and professional costs to CPD members.”
According to the findings, while officers who are arrested are consistently relieved of their police powers, other cases fitting stated criteria do not always result in similar actions. The report also noted a lack of procedural controls such as periodic reviews for cases where officers remain relieved for extended periods. Communication with affected officers about case status was described as minimal. In addition, limited record-keeping makes it difficult to evaluate fairness in these decisions.
The Office recommends that the department adopt a formal policy governing when to relieve police powers, clarify its criteria for doing so, document all related decisions carefully, and communicate more transparently with those affected.
Witzburg said: “The robustness and integrity of CPD’s disciplinary system is absolutely vital. If we are to take seriously the task of fostering trust in CPD, the City must build and run a police disciplinary system in which both members of the public and members of the Department have reason to be confident. Strengthening transparency, consistency, and communication in the relief of powers process benefits the public, supports officer well-being, and enhances the legitimacy of CPD’s accountability structures.”
The Office serves as an independent watchdog over city government operations.
