Rahm Now Supports An Investigation Into The City's Law Department
By aaroncynic in News on Jan 8, 2016 8:11PM
via Getty Images
Stating that it was “not possible” for the city’s Law Department to have been involved in any kind of cover up within the Chicago Police Department, and that it wasn’t necessary for the U.S. Department of Justice to add the Law Department to its investigation, Emanuel told the Tribune:
“No. I think that [federal investigators] are working where they are. Steve [Patton] has my support to make sure that this doesn't happen again."
The statement came shortly after a U.S. District Judge overturned a verdict in a lawsuit filed by the family of a man shot and killed by Chicago Police. The jury in the lawsuit against the city, filed by the family of Darius Pinex, found that officers did not wrongfully kill Pinex during a traffic stop in 2011. According to the Sun-Times, city attorney Jordan Marsh withheld key evidence from Pinex’s attorneys regarding recordings of what officers heard over their radios the night they shot Pinex. Edwards resigned his position on Monday, just hours after the ruling.
Now, the mayor says that there will be an independent, third-party investigation into the Law Department. “Steve Patton in quick order is going to have a third-party, an independent entity, look at that division, make sure everybody is clear about the professional standards and then the training that goes with it,” Emanuel, said. “That’s what will happen because it’s essential for people’s confidence.”
While not being exactly as “welcoming” as when he flip-flopped on his thoughts regarding a Justice Department investigation into the police department, Emanuel said he would work with it, should they decide to look into the Law Department. “I don’t direct the Justice Department. But if they come, we’re going to cooperate and work with it,” said Emanuel.
The mayor did not give any details as to who might conduct the investigation, how much it would cost, or what it would exactly cover.