CHICAGO — Chicago Police are making changes to an overtime program that was created to prevent violence in troubled areas.
The department's Violence Reduction Initiative allowed officers to work on their days off, bringing them to violence-plagued areas of the city. The program cost the city millions in overtime pay — the city had earmarked $39 million for it for 2014.
The initiative will undergo a series of changes, said spokesman Anthony Guglielmi in an emailed statement. Details about the changes were not immediately available.
"As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure our strategies are most effective, we are in the process of reconfiguring the VRI strategy that will allow for officers who know their districts the best to serve in overtime opportunities," Guglielmi said. "This will not affect staffing levels, as we constantly ensure an appropriate number of officers work to keep our streets safe at all times. More information about this enhanced initiative will be available soon."
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