As soon as the Public Safety section of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) became operational in 2017, OIG began fielding concerns from members of the public about the “gang database.” Those concerns included the accuracy of the information, the length of time such information is maintained, and the potential life-altering impact the use of such information can have on individuals.
Community members reported personal accounts to OIG in which their experiences of CPD’s “gang database”-related strategies—including misidentification, harassment, obstacles to immigration, and racial profiling—furthered the historical divide between themselves and the police and contributed to inequities, especially in communities of color. Anonymous testimonials from community members can be found below.
Gang Database Testimonial – West Side Resident