CITY HALL — The City Council confirmed Sharon Fairley Wednesday as head of the embattled Independent Police Review Authority.
Fairley's appointment by Mayor Rahm Emanuel cleared the Public Safety Committee Tuesday and was approved by the full council Wednesday without opposition.
Ald. Willie Cochran (20th), a former Chicago Police officer, cheered the appointment, saying she had already proved herself “steady as a rock.”
Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th), chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said she had taken on “a very tough challenge.”
“I want to congratulate you for stepping up,” Emanuel added.
IPRA provides civilian oversight of the Police Department and is placed in charge of major investigations involving charges of excessive use of force by officers, as well as all police-involved shootings.
In a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Fairley pledged independence and "transparency" while balancing the need to retain the integrity of IPRA's investigations. She previously came under harsh criticism by aldermen in the midst of the Laquan McDonald case in her first days on the job.
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