CHICAGO — Videos and other evidence related to police-involved shootings "and other serious incidents" will be released in as few as 60 days under a major policy change announced Tuesday by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
As part of a "new transparency policy for all new cases," Emanuel said in a written statement, evidence from the incidents will be posted publicly online.
In interviews with Chicago media members, Emanuel and other city officials said they are following recommendations from the Chicago Task Force on Police Accountability. The Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) will release information, including police reports, audio and video recordings within two months of an incident. The policy will also retroactively apply to open investigations of police shootings, Emanuel added in the release.
"Simply put, the longstanding policy the City followed for decades is out of date and this new policy strikes a better balance of ensuring transparency for the public while also ensuring any criminal or disciplinary investigations are not compromised," Emanuel said in the release. "While this new policy is an important step forward, our work is far from finished as we continue to address issues that have plagued the City for decades."
A law enforcement agency can ask for an additional 30-day delay, but it would have to be in writing, media outlets reported.
Since the Nov. 24 release of the video showing Chicago Police shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times, Emanuel has touted multiple police reforms, including expansions of body camera programs and crisis intervention training.
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