Page 11 - November 2019 FOP

ThirdVice President’s Report
Flu shots and CBD oils
On Oct. 18, Lodge 7 provided free flu shots to members and their families. More than 200 vac- cinations were administered. Special thanks to the staff at Knapp Medical Group for providing these flu shots for our members.
I also want to say a few words about CBD oils. There isn’t a week that goes by that the Lodge doesn’t receive a call from members asking about taking CBD oils. Currently, CBD oils are
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cluding department members who had such tenuous roles in the incident as forwarding a use-of-force report and simply reporting the series of events that transpired. A chief, deputy chief and lieu- tenant all resigned to enjoy their large pensions, but the remain- ing officers were fired by the Chicago Police Board.
A recent not-guilty verdict in the criminal trial of three mem- bers exposed the failings of Ferguson’s investigation, and the de- partment members have filed suit to have the police board ruling overturned.
The Chicago Police Board
The Chicago Police Board is a group of non-CPD employees ap- pointed by the mayor to author the CPD’s rules and regulations, make recommendations for the position of superintendent and be the decider of fact on serious disciplinary matters.
Following the police board’s rubber stamp of Ferguson’s con- clusions in the McDonald investigation, you might think GAPA is a fan — but you’d be wrong.
From GAPA’s website: “As with COPA, at times when the police board has decided not to fire police officers charged with the most serious forms of misconduct, there have been widespread con- cerns that the police board’s decisions were politically motivated.” Force Review Unit
Citizens can make complaints against police officers in numer- ous convenient ways, including at a police station or to COPA, by having a supervisor respond to their location, over the phone to 311, online to COPA or the inspector general and by mail.
Even routine incidents where no allegation of misconduct is made are reviewed by the newly created Force Review Unit. Doz- ens of officers have the fulltime job of reading reports and watch- ing body camera and other video footage of use-of-force incidents and providing guidance on training, policy and when a violation of policy occurs, generating complaints.
With a vast majority of officers wearing body cameras (includ- ing every patrol officer assigned to the street), the Force Review Unit brings an unprecedented level of accountability for officers in Chicago, and is on the cutting edge of law enforcement ac- countability across the country.
Consent decree’s independent monitor
On top of this enormous accountability bureaucracy, the last mayor signed the most sweeping consent decree in the history of U.S. police departments. The court-appointed monitoring team is guaranteed just under $3 million a year to review the CPD’s com- pliance with the consent decree, which keeps checks on the entire accountability system.
not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. So even if the packaging states that there is no evidence of THC in the oil, there can still be traces that will result in a positive drug screen. Until the department recognizes the benefits that CBD oils may provide to our members and eliminates the allotted amount of THC in one’s system, it is the recom- mendation of the Lodge to refrain from using these oils.
Stay safe!
No police department has ever been under such an extensive consent decree, and as the CPD is the largest department ever un- der one, estimates range from a minimum of a decade to more than 20 years before the court determines it to be in compliance, providing at least nine more years of intense and expensive out- side oversight.
With millions in personnel and other compliance costs, the es- timate for the final price tag is easily north of $100 million.
GAPA Commission?
When faced with the challenges of our youth being undered- ucated, hopeless, maimed and murdered and whole neighbor- hoods being labeled criminogenic, the City cries out for help and CPD officers answer the call.
Unable to fix society’s ills alone, but operating in a town with a history of not facing the root causes of poverty and crime, offi- cers do what they can: police. In doing so, they end up interacting more with minorities who disproportionally reside in high-crime areas.
Politicians, the media and activists are thus given a choice: Sup- port these officers and tackle the underlying causes of crime, or take the lazy and cowardly approach of blaming the police for in- teracting more with the people they are trying to protect, cry rac- ism at every turn, create more oversight and demand more firings.
For years, politicians in Chicago have taken the easy route and thrown vitriol at police and money to anything they thought would show them holding the out-of-control police accountable. And yet CPD officers soldier on. I sleep well at night knowing the cops still come to work and stand up for the weak against evil, but I think my heroes in blue have a breaking point and GAPA would be it.
When GAPA convinces those officers willing to defend others at the risk of their own lives that there is no longer any hope of be- ing treated fairly, the message will finally be heard loud and clear: CPD officers, Chicago is against you.
GAPA not only misunderstands or is disingenuous with its as- sessment of accountability at the CPD, but its entire premise — that Chicago needs a group of elected officials to run the CPD — is phony. We already pay for 50 such people. We call them aldermen.
While some anti-police groups may think she deserves an F, Mayor Lightfoot could earn an A for government accountability and public safety by killing this disaster of an idea and keeping some hope alive for the most at-risk neighborhoods in this city.
If Chicago really has millions lying around earmarked for GAPA, there are probably some thoughtful people at City Hall who can find ways to put it to use by helping out the city’s most vulnerable in a meaningful way.
JAY RYAN
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ NOVEMBER 2019 11
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