By: Ashmar Mandou

In response to the recent suicides within the Chicago Police Department, City of Chicago Alderman Silvana Tabares (23) Raymond Lopez (15) Anthony Napolitano (41) Matt O’Shea (19) are sponsoring a wide-ranging public safety package that addresses the mental health challenges of Chicago Police officers and mandates and to help Chicago Police Department families. The Resolution is asking for public hearings on the mental health stress on Chicago Police Officers, and to give families and mental health professionals an opportunity to comment on the adequacy of employee assistance polices of the Chicago Police Department before the Committee on Health and Human Relations.

“The city has decimated its police force and is now trying to cover it up by running the department that is unsustainable and dangerous for officers and the public.  Cancelled days off were once reserved for public emergencies but have now been normalized, placing untold stress on rank-and-file officers,” said Alderman Silvana Tabares, 23rd Ward. 

“Where is the compassion and professionalism to do the right thing for our first responders from the City of Chicago?  How many more cries for help need to happen by suicide?  Our officers are overworked and treated like an after-thought instead of a priority for their service.  To add insult to injury surviving families of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, have to wait for their survivor benefits?  It looks to me that the City of Chicago has checked out and left no forwarding phone number,” said Alderman Raymond Lopez, 15th Ward.  

“I’ve never been more disheartened by the state of affairs in the City of Chicago. Never in my 23 years working for this city have I ever witnessed such a blatant disregard for its employees. This administration is working our Chicago Police Officers to an absolute breaking point of mental and physical distress.  The screams for help are falling on deaf ears, even after three suicides in four weeks. Make no mistake, this is all due to pressures from the Defund the Police movement. This is disgusting and inhumane. The city of Chicago would never do this to any other Department,” said Alderman Anthony Napolitano, 41st Ward.

The Public Safety Package includes:  

• Put a 30-day time limit on salary benefit decisions for survivor spouses and dependents of deceased Police Officers. 

• Limit authority of Chicago Police Department to cancel regularly scheduled days off. 

• Expedite transition from Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) to new Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. 

• Require City Public Officials who oversee Use of Force Standards to take the written test administered to police recruits, and also to undergo training in the Use of Force Simulator while wearing a body camera. Results to be posted on public website.

• Require Superintendent of Police to notify City Council in writing anytime he or she is absent from the City of Chicago. 

• Allow officers from other Police Agencies to transfer into Chicago Police Department under a modified training program.