Office of Professional Standards Archives

News & Politics

The cop who would be mayor

by Kelly Garcia August 31, 2022October 17, 2022

CPD officer Frederick Collins has more than 40 misconduct complaints. Now, he’s running for mayor.

News & Politics

Queer folks of color want to cancel today’s Buttigieg-Lightfoot book event

by Adam M. Rhodes October 16, 2020August 18, 2021

Activists say the pair’s public conversation about “trust and distrust” shows the problems with assuming marginalized people have progressive values.

Blogs

Two panels on Chicago police misconduct found the same problems 43 years apart

by Steve Bogira April 20, 2016August 18, 2021

The findings of the Police Accountability Task Force are depressingly familiar.

Blogs

What Mayor Emanuel needs to learn from the killing of Laquan McDonald

by Steve Bogira November 25, 2015August 18, 2021

Chicago has a systemic problem that won’t be solved with the charging of a single officer.

Blogs

IPRA recommends the firing of a Chicago police officer involved in a shooting

by Steve Bogira June 29, 2015August 18, 2021

After a drive-by shooting on North Ashland in 2011, an off-duty officer shot 16 times at the wrong car, according to the Independent Police Review Authority.

News & Politics

When Chicago cops shoot

by Steve Bogira May 20, 2015August 18, 2021

Since 1986 more than 1,600 people have been struck by bullets fired by Chicago police officers—an average of more than one person a week. In the 208 cases closed over the last two years, not a single shooting has been found to be unjustified. Should we be reassured?

Francine Sanders, a former investigator for CPD’s now-defunct Office of Professional Standards, first met Nathaniel Hanserd more than 15 years ago, when he was the accused cop on one of her excessive force cases.

News & Politics

A former investigator of police misconduct on the questions she never asked

by Francine J. Sanders September 18, 2013August 19, 2021

A former investigator of police misconduct tackles the questions she never asked.

Blogs

This Is Chicago, and Independence Is in the Eye of the Beholder

by Mick Dumke March 4, 2010August 19, 2021

At a community meeting in Uptown this week, citizens question whether Chicago’s Independent Police Review Authority is truly independent.

Blogs

Under Daley’s skin, or under his thumb?

by Mick Dumke June 14, 2007August 19, 2021

Mayor Daley keeps getting what he wants, but he’s still annoyed.

Officer Alvin Weems shoots Michael Pleasance at the 95th Street Red Line station. Weems is wearing the light hat and dark jacket. Pleasance is the one in the dark hat and white parka.

News & Politics

Killed On Camera

by John Conroy April 19, 2007August 19, 2021

Officer Alvin Weems shot an unarmed man point-blank in view of CTA security cameras. Investigators recommended that he be fired. Phil Cline promoted him.