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Rep. Gutiérrez Welcomes DOJ Investigation of Chicago Police Department


“It is a vital step in making sure we prevent more murders and violence in Chicago.”

Washington, DC –(ENEWSPF)–December 7, 2015.  On Monday, the Department of Justice announced it was opening an investigation into the Chicago Police Department (CPD) after the murder of Laquan McDonald, a Chicago teenager shot by a CPD officer more than a year ago.  Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez, who was among those who requested the investigation, said he was pleased with the news.  The following is a statement from the Congressman:

Anybody who has seen the videotape of Laquan McDonald being shot and killed can see that current practices of the Chicago Police Department need review both internally and externally.  But even before the videotape was released, having grown up in the city of Chicago, I knew there were long-term issues of trust, accountability, use of force, and secrecy that have frayed the bonds between the CPD and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve.

Last week I joined Senator Dick Durbin, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the ACLU, and others in calling for the Department of Justice to investigate the Chicago Police Department to ensure that their policies and practices are in line with federal law and the Constitution.  I think every level of government involved in the Laquan McDonald murder deserves investigation and accountability and the broader issues of transparency, trust, and community oversight must be examined.  These are issues both the Justice Department and the newly-appointed commission working with former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will be looking at.

It is a vital step in making sure we prevent more murders and violence in Chicago.

Last week, Rep. Gutiérrez wrote to Attorney General Loretta Lynch asking for such an investigation.  His letter is here: (pdf)

Rep. Gutiérrez represents the Fourth District of Illinois, is a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, and the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations.

Related Material:

» 120415 Letter from LVG to AG Lynch.pdf

Source: www.gutierrez.house.gov

Related Articles:

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Delivers Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Investigation into Chicago Police Department

Attorney General Madigan Reacts to U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division Decision to Investigate Chicago Police Department Practices


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