The Latest: Revamp of Chicago police misconduct probes OK’d

CHICAGO – The Latest on Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to revamp how police misconduct is investigated (all times local):

12:20 p.m.

Chicago aldermen have approved an ordinance backed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel that will revamp investigations into police shootings and officer misconduct.

The vote in the Chicago City Council was 39-8 on Wednesday. Alderman Ariel Reboyras says the measure is “far from perfect but it shows we want to move forward.”

The approval comes despite critics saying the measure isn’t strong enough to keep a close eye on a police force with a reputation for brutality. It will create a new agency to replace the Independent Police Review Authority, which was discredited by long delays in completing investigations that nearly always sided with officers.

The sometimes angry and emotional hearing Wednesday came after audience members were escorted out of the council chambers when they shouted that the vote should be delayed until there is more community input.

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12:30 a.m.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to create a new agency to investigate police shootings and misconduct allegations is moving toward approval, even as critics say it’s not strong enough to keep a close eye on a police force with a reputation for brutality.

After months of community hearings, a City Council committee on Tuesday voted to recommend the new agency be approved by the full council on Wednesday.

It would replace the Independent Police Review Authority, which was discredited by long delays in completing investigations that nearly always sided with officers.

Chicago police have been criticized since the release of a video showing the 2014 death of Laquan McDonald, a black teenager shot 16 times by a white police officer. The video sparked protests and calls for Emanuel to resign.