The Chicago Police Department has "engaged in a pattern or practice of unreasonable force," violating the civil rights of citizens by unnecessarily shooting at suspects and failing to investigate or punish officers who break the law, the Justice Department announced Friday.
Speaking at a press conference in Chicago with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and police Superintendent Eddie Johnson present, outgoing Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the city's police officers unnecessarily escalate situations, leading to incidents that endanger both cops and civilians.
"One of my highest priorities as Attorney General has been to ensure that every American enjoys police protection that is lawful, responsive, and transparent," Lynch said in a statement announcing the findings. "Sadly, our thorough investigation into the Chicago Police Department found that far too many residents of this proud city have not received that kind of policing."
The press conference coincided with the release of a lengthy DOJ report about misconduct and civil rights violations by Chicago's 12,000-officer police force, the second-largest in the United States.
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