FOR RELEASE:
April 9, 2026
PRESS CONTACT:
Deanna Shoss, Communications, 773-478-8417
The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has completed an inquiry into the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) practice of relieving, or “stripping,” certain members of police powers while misconduct investigations are pending. OIG found that CPD risks inconsistency in its decisions on whether to relieve members of their powers and that those decision-making processes are only minimally documented.
“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. This action also carries costs for impacted CPD members, when lack of oversight, transparency, and documentation, as well as poor communication, can delay timely restoration of powers. CPD must balance its obligations for public safety and accountability with the personal and professional costs to CPD members,” said Deborah Witzburg, Inspector General for the City of Chicago.
CPD consistently strips members who are arrested, but not for other conduct fitting its stated criteria for the relief of powers, risking inconsistency in when and how members are relieved of powers. OIG found that CPD lacks procedural controls, such as periodic reviews for cases in which members remain relieved for prolonged periods, and provides little communication to members regarding the status of their cases. Additionally, minimal record-keeping around recommendations to relieve powers and decisions on those recommendations inhibits any evaluation of fairness in the process.
OIG recommends CPD adopt a formal policy governing the relief of members’ police powers, review its criteria for relieving police powers, document decisions, and ensure transparent communication with impacted members.
“The robustness and integrity of CPD’s disciplinary system is absolutely vital,” said Witzburg. If we are to take seriously the task of fostering trust in CPD, the City must build and run a police disciplinary system in which both members of the public and members of the Department have reason to be confident. Strengthening transparency, consistency, and communication in the relief of powers process benefits the public, supports officer well-being, and enhances the legitimacy of CPD’s accountability structures.” said Witzburg.
Read the Report
Read the full report with Departmental response, published on April 9, 2026.
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The mission of the independent and nonpartisan City of Chicago Office of Inspector General is to promote economy, effectiveness, efficiency, and integrity by identifying corruption, waste, and mismanagement in City government. OIG is a watchdog for the taxpayers of the City and has jurisdiction to conduct inquiries into most aspects of City government.
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