Page 22 - FOP March 2017 Newsletter

Ignorance is bliss, except when it’s not
The microscope analyzing law enforce- ment has never been bigger. But are the right eyes looking through the scope? Recently, the
M
Mayor of Chicago appointed a “police liai-
s
ed leaders are truly interested in “transparency” and “truth,” they must appoint a qualified law enforcement expert. Otherwise, the oversight will be incomplete at
son” to serve as his Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety. This hire comes on the heels of other significant appoint- ments, including the complete over- haul of the Civilian Review Agency and the creation of a Police Accountability
best, and, at worst, a sham.
Law enforcement’s use of force will receive the
DANIEL HERBERT
Task Force. For the sake of argument, I will assume
that all of these individuals are well-intentioned and eager to provide an unbiased review of police officers. Notwithstanding, their reviews and assessments will be flawed, based upon a collective lack of the knowledge that is critical for an unbiased approach.
Noticeably absent in the Mayor’s appointments is any- one with specific training in law enforcement. This is a critical flaw and will undoubtedly lead to inappropriate conclusions and decisions. If the Mayor and our elect-
Black Caucus, they demonstrated their ignorance recently at a public hearing. The caucus called for changes to the collective bargaining agreement, argu- ing that it “has been serving and protecting the culture of racism and violence in our police department.” The caucus and the task force point to the provision that al- lows officers 24 hours before giving a statement after a shooting. They preach this as a central example of a con- tract provision that protects a culture of racism. They are
wrong.
It has been scientifically proven that delay actual-
FOP
Legal Rep t
most scrutiny in the coming years. However, there are things police know that civilians and politi- cians cannot understand. With all due respect to the aldermen and specifically the City Council
22 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MARCH 2017