Chicago Police Ease Restrictions on Use of Force in Revised Policy

Embed from Getty Images

Pulling back on proposed rule changes that upset some rank-and-file officers, police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has proposed a new use-of-force policy that is less restrictive than the one he floated five months ago.

A draft policy released in October drew complaints from both officers and police reform advocates. Some officers said the draft policy was too restrictive for cops making split-second decisions under pressure, while reform advocates said it didn't spell out clearly enough when police should and should not use force.

In a shift in tone and policy, the new draft proposal released Monday opens by proclaiming the department's commitment to officer safety while eliminating a provision saying cops must use only the least amount of force needed. The draft also softens the department's stance on officers using their new de-escalation training to defuse tense encounters, saying cops only have to try those tactics "when it is safe and feasible," the Chicago Tribune reports.