Chicago Releases Video, Audio from Dozens of Officer-Involved Shootings

The agency tasked with investigating allegations of misconduct against Chicago police officers released videos, audio recordings and other investigative material Friday from more than 100 incidents, a move that city officials hope will help bolster the public’s trust in its embattled police force.

The huge dump of video and audio comes after Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced in February that the city will begin releasing recordings of Chicago Police Department officer-involved shootings and other material related to investigations of alleged major police misconduct within 60 to 90 days of the incidents. Among the video and recordings released are dozens from police-involved shootings that remain under investigation by the city’s Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA).

"The policy we are implementing today is a major step forward promoting transparency, and it makes us one of the leading cities in America to guarantee timely public access to this breadth of information involving sensitive police incidents," Emanuel said in a statement shortly after IPRA launched its online portal of the video, audio and other investigative material.

The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police union called the move by the city "irresponsible" and said the release of information of ongoing investigations could potentially be in violation of officers' collective bargaining agreement, USA Today reports.