Criminal Justice Grades and Recommendations

Criminal Justice

2007 Grade	2007 Grade Prediction for the Future	2010 Grade
F	D+	D

While there has been some positive movement in the area of criminal justice, the movement has largely been insufficient. We were encouraged by some of Superintendent Jody Weiss’s initial reform efforts, such as replacing, demoting, or reassigning district commanders, and instituting increased policing of high crime neighborhoods. But Weiss’s creation of the Mobile Strike Force, which is seemingly a reformation of the disbanded SOS unit, has tampered with communities’ hope that real reform is on the way. Community discouragement is further exacerbated by the city’s refusal to institute an early warning system that adequately and effectively identifies and addresses police abuse, as well as its lack of financial support for alternative crime-prevention models such as CeaseFire.

Recommendations

1. Create an accountable, independent citizen’s review board for the Chicago police, made up of freely-elected community representatives, which would include the ability to release the names of officers who have been implicated in police torture cases.
2. Install personnel performance software on the I-CLEAR system that will enable the Police Department to identify rogue police officers and hold them accountable.
3. Provide incentives to officers who make a commitment to participate in the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Program.
4. Provide more funding to alternative crime prevention programs such as CeaseFire.
5. Reform the juvenile justice system – fund restorative, community-based alternatives to the Audy Home.