Chicago police not consistent about stripping powers from officers under investigation: OIG report

Thursday, April 9, 2026
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are not consistent about stripping police powers from officers who are under investigation, according to a review by the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General.

The OIG found the police department consistently strips powers from members who are arrested, but it found the department is inconsistent in other cases.



Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said, "Relieving a CPD member of police powers while under investigation for serious misconduct can safeguard CPD's credibility and protect the public from additional harm."

Witzburg is recommending the department adopt a formal policy over the relief of police powers, review its criteria for relieving powers, document the decisions and ensure communication with the impacted officers.



ABC7 reached out to the Chicago Police Department for comment, but have not yet heard back.

SEE ALSO | Chicago paid $26.5M in overtime to employees who may not have been eligible, OIG report shows
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.