IPRA Head Encouraged By New Policy To Restrict Officers Involved In Shootings To Administrative Duties
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The head of the agency investigating this weekend's fatal police shooting says she approves of new actions the Chicago Police Department is taking, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
Sharon Fairley, acting administrator of the Independent Police Review Authority, says she's encouraged that officers involved in shootings now will automatically be restricted administrative duties for at least 30 days.
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The mayor's office announced the new policy saying that the police department will ensure any officers involved in shootings will have that separation from field duties while training and fitness for duty can be assessed.
The policy isn't sitting well with some rank and file according to the union that represents Chicago officers.
"Our membership's perception is that it is punitive, albeit it's designed not to be punitive," said FOP president Dean Angelo.
The FOP is preparing for even more policy changes now that Mayor Emanuel has asked the heads of CPD and IPRA to evaluate current crisis intervention and de-escalation policies to identify any areas of improvement.
"In order for us to sort of get the ship back going in the right direction, there are things we can do in the short-term, the medium-term and long-term," said Fairley. "So right now the focus really is what can we do in the short-term in the way of policy changes and training in order to try to right the ship."
Fairley didn't elaborate on what those short-term changes might be, but she did say one area they will look at is how officers are trained to respond to calls involving people with mental health issues.
Last Saturday, a 19-year-old man and 55-year-old woman were shot and killed by Chicago Police in response to a domestic disturbance. Police admitted that the shooting of the woman was an accident.
