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Readout of Department of Justice’s First Meetings in Chicago Following Announcement of Pattern or Practice Investigation of Chicago Police Department, Dec. 17, 2015,


WASHINGTON –(ENEWSPF)–December 17, 2015.  The Department of Justice, including lawyers and senior leaders from the Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Illinois, completed two days of introductory meetings in Chicago today following last week’s announcement of a pattern or practice investigation into the Chicago Police Department (CPD).  The team, comprised primarily of lawyers from the Civil Rights Division was joined by the head of the Civil Rights Division Vanita Gupta, as well as Zachary Fardon, the U.S Attorney of the Northern District of Illinois.  The investigation into use of force, disparities in use of force and accountability systems of the CPD is being led by the Civil Rights Division with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Illinois.

On Dec. 16, the group met with CPD Superintendent John Escalante and briefed CPD command staff on the investigative process.  The Civil Rights Division also had initial meetings with community members and organizations in order to solicit information and explain the pattern or practice investigation’s scope and process.

Today, Dec. 17, the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office met with additional community groups, city officials and union representatives.  Meetings with the city of Chicago included Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his staff and a separate meeting with the Independent Police Review Authority Administrator Sharon Fairley.

Throughout the investigative process the Civil Rights Division, assisted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will continue to meet with representatives from the community, the city and the unions.  During the course of the investigation, community members will have the opportunity to provide information both in public meetings and privately.  Any public meetings will be announced at a later date.  Anyone who wishes to share information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Department of Justice by phone: (844) 401-3735 or email: [email protected].

Source: www.justice.gov

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