BLM Files Lawsuit to Force Chicago Police Reform

Members of Black Lives Matter and other civil rights groups are suing the city of Chicago after Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s backed off a pledge to let a federal judge oversee reforms at the Police Department.

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The 132-page lawsuit was filed by 15 lawyers from the city and New York at the District Court in Chicago.

They're seeking compensation for the individual plaintiffs who allege they were subjected to aggressive tactics by Chicago police.

The lawsuit also asks the court to ensure the department adopts reforms.

“It is clear that federal court intervention is essential to end the historical and ongoing pattern and practice of excessive force by police officers in Chicago,” the lawsuit states. “Absent federal court supervision, nothing will improve.”

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge John Z. Lee, and a hearing is scheduled for June 21.

In January, a report from the Justice Department found the Chicago police had committed civil rights violations, including racial bias, excessive use of force and a “pervasive cover-up culture” among officers.

The department launched the investigation two years ago, after a video was released showing a white officer shooting the Black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times in 2014.

The Justice Department report also suggested that a consent decree, a court-ordered reform agreement, would be the best and likely the only way to correct the Police Department's deep and long-standing problems.

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Emanuel had said repeatedly that Chicago will push ahead with reforms, but earlier this month, he said no federal judge would be needed to oversee the changes and the city would seek an independent monitor instead.

“I think it’s important that we remember that there’s more that we agree on than disagree,” Emanuel said after the lawsuit was filed. “Obviously, there was an election that changed the Justice Department, it doesn’t change what we’re committed to getting done.”

In an interview with Reuters, Emanuel said President Donald Trump’s Attorney General Jeff Sessions does not favor court involvement, different from former President Barack Obama’s administration, which saw it as vital to successful reforms.

Chicago is implementing new rules on the use of force, providing two-thirds of the Chicago police force with body cameras and hiring 1,000 new officers, Emanuel told Reuters.

Kevin Graham, president of Chicago's police union, also objected the lawsuit's claims and promised to oppose the imposition of policies backed by “anti-police movement” in every instance.

“Despite the vast gulf between what the anti-police movement claims and what is actually taking place on our city's streets, our officers are doing a phenomenal job in extremely dangerous circumstances, day in and day out. I am confident the general public supports the police,” he said in a statement.