The City of Chicago and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7 Announce Tentative Contract Agreement
Tentative deal includes historic accountability reforms, mental health and wellness support, and backpay
CHICAGO – The City of Chicago and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7 have reached a tentative contract agreement, subject to ratification by FOP membership and assuming that, City Council approval. This tentative agreement is in alignment with the Consent Decree, that includes historic accountability reforms, more support for officer wellness including a new ombudsman to support mental health for officers, and back pay for officers.
“This proposed contract acknowledges the valuable contributions that Chicago police officers make to neighborhoods all across the City. It includes crucial new accountability and transparency reforms needed to create trust between police and communities and provides economically responsible yet fair compensation for officers.” Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot said. “The agreement also recognizes the tremendous stress of the job and resulting trauma and provides additional health and wellness supports for officers. We are hopeful that the FOP membership will grant this proposal due consideration and vote to ratify it swiftly.”
The agreement expands on the same historic accountability reforms that were achieved in the three Policemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (PBPA) units contract. All of the items that the City was required to utilize its “best efforts” to win under the Consent Decree were achieved.
These reforms include:
- An end to the 40-year ban on the investigation of anonymous complaints about police misconduct;
- The elimination of the requirement to destroy disciplinary records older than five years, in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling;
- Allowing the City to broaden its use of police disciplinary records in cases involving police misconduct, including verbal abuse, mirroring the PBPA agreement;
- An end to allowing officers to change their testimony after viewing video;
- The elimination of affidavits and an expedited process (“override”) for anonymous complaints where the complainant doesn’t want to be identified;
- Recognition in the CBA that officers who report potential misconduct are acting in the highest traditions of public service, and a removal of the previous “ban” on rewarding/recognizing officers who report misconduct;
- Investigatory agencies must advise every individual being interviewed that they need to be truthful.