At an April 8 court hearing, police reform advocates derided a strategic plan proposed by the Chicago Police Department.
Public Safety
Police workforce study: opacity, budget tricks, and clout

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben probed an ongoing investigation into police workforce allocation.
City and philanthropists ink contract to figure out where to put cops when

The city of Chicago has signed a contract for a study that aims to conclusively determine where, when, and how to deploy all employees of the Chicago Police Department.
City poised to cook up full-bodied police allocation study, "the hottest of hot potatoes"

The city of Chicago announced last week that it's about to launch a thorough study of police staffing, resulting in department-wide recommendations to be shared publicly. Aldermen and the public have been kept mostly in the dark.
Chief cop-watcher and top cop spar at Police Board meeting

Audio from a public meeting of the Chicago Police Board on Feb. 22 2024, which featured a clash between the heads of the Chicago Police Dept. and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
Top cop strongly defends Shotspotter at public meeting

At a January meeting of the Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability, Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling defended the controversial Shotspotter gunfire detection system.
Chicago Police sergeant: district station crumbling, flooding, and unhealthy for years

At a November public meeting, a Chicago Police Dept. sergeant revealed unsafe and unhealthy conditions at the 11th District police station on the West Side.
Police superintendent nominee hints at plan for allocating cops

At a public meeting, prospective Chicago police superintendent Larry Snelling hinted at where and how he'd allocate and deploy cops.
Police staffing called out by community commission and mayor's transition report

In an audio piece, a Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability member questioned police workforce allocation—a matter also highlighted in a report by Mayor Brandon Johnson's transition team.
Community stakeholders challenge police use-of-force training

Members of Chicago’s Use of Force Community Working Group criticized use-of-force training by the Chicago Police Department.
Ex-city budget analyst: real Chicago police cost exceeds 2023 budget by 75 percent

In an audio interview, Dave Glowacz spoke with a former city budget analyst. The analyst explained his startling claim: The real cost of the Chicago Police Dept. is 75 percent more than the $1.9 billion that the city's 2023 budget allocates to the department.
Call for public to weigh in on police training priorities

An on-line survey has become available for Chicagoans to say how the Chicago Police Dept. should focus its training.
Former IG Joe Ferguson pushes more and better police data

Transcript of Oct. 21 remarks by former Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson on the uses of data to solve inequities in the criminal justice system.
Public Building Commission to lead site visit of future West Side "cop academy"

Chicago's Public Building Commission announced that it will lead contractors through a tour of the planned Joint Public Safety Training Campus on the West Side.
Chicago inspector general: police reform hindered by key departures

In recorded audio, we hear Chicago Inspector General Joseph Ferguson warn members of the City Council about departures of key officials—and the effect on reform of the Chicago Police Department.
Ask Mr Bike: Why Chicagoans are targeted for biking while black

In an interview by Ben Joravsky with Dave Glowacz on WCPT-AM's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben asks Mr Bike about Chicagoans in black areas that have gotten bicycling tickets in far greater numbers than those in white areas, and more.
Police board fires cop who lied about drunken suicide threat

At its February, 2018 meeting, the Chicago Police Board dismissed an officer who drunkenly threatened to kill himself with a gun, then lied to investigators.
Chicago Police Dept. merit promotions list identifies sponsors

The Chicago Police Department released a list of officers promoted since 2006 by way of merit selection—identifying the sponsor of each promotee.
Reporter: 95 percent of most shootings unsolved

In five percent or less of non-fatal shootings, Chicago Police hold no one accountable, says a Sun-Times reporter.
Justice Dept. holds meetings on police—but few know

The U.S. Dept. of Justice is holding little-advertised public forums to get citizens' input on their encounters with Chicago police.