By Gregory Pratt
Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO — Chicago aldermen have voted down a long-shot proposal to give an elected board power over Chicago police, including authority to investigate and fire officers.
The Public Safety Committee voted Monday on the Civilian Police Accountability Commission ordinance pushed by Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, which would have given the agency power to appoint and fire the police superintendent, investigate all police shootings and alleged misconduct, and overhaul the current disciplinary process.
CPAC is a popular idea among some activists but has not found much support from city officials. The committee voted by voice to reject the proposal.
Some aldermen raised concerns about professionalism of investigations if CPAC went into effect. Others said they were worried about bias.
Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th, said he has attended hearings where the idea was discussed and said some of the plan’s advocates seemed “somewhat hateful of the police.” It concerns him to put police under the authority of people “who don’t like the police,” he said.
After the meeting, Ramirez-Rosa said the rejection makes CPAC a campaign issue and warned that there could be consequences for those who oppose the measure.
“Folks are in for a rude awakening in February,” he said.