Chicago OIG criticizes CPD for failing to reopen investigations into officers with alleged extremist ties – NBC Chicago

In a statement released today, the Chicago Inspector General’s Office demanded that the city take a “definitive and unequivocal stance against extremism within its police ranks.” The statement comes in response to Chicago police’s refusal to reopen investigations into officers with ties to extremist groups such as the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys.

Deborah Witzburg, the head of the OIG in Chicago, said the CPD must vigorously investigate allegations that some of its members belong to or are associated with extremist groups.

“We cannot expect people to trust a police department whose members are allowed to incite hatred and extremism,” Witzburg said.

The latest investigation is the third investigation into CPD officers with ties to far-right groups since 2022 that has been concluded without any of the officers allegedly involved being disciplinarily charged.

“Following this thorough investigation by the BIA (Bureau of Internal Affairs), it has been determined that the allegations against the accused members are not substantiated,” the CPD said in a statement.

CPD Supervisor Larry Snelling defended the department’s investigation earlier this year, saying at the time that the department did not want to “mislead anyone into saying this was related to January 6th.”

Witzburg’s recommendation also criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration, saying it had refused to follow the OIG’s recommendation to convene a task force and had not committed to any concrete measures.

A statement from Garién Gatewood, Chicago’s deputy mayor for public safety, said Johnson’s administration was committed to addressing the problem.

“The Johnson administration and the Chicago Police Department remain fully committed to eradicating extremist, anti-government and biased organizations from the ranks of our law enforcement agencies,” Gatewood’s statement said.

Another statement from Johnson’s office on Tuesday said his government was “steadfast” in its commitment “to genuine accountability and ensuring that such activities have clear consequences.”

The OIG warned that continued questions about ties to extremist groups would damage the department’s efforts to restore its relationships with the community.

“The city cannot be serious about efforts to build trust in the police until we get it right,” Witzburg said.

Witzburg said the failure to fire officials with ties to extremist groups could also have implications ahead of the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

“We cannot tolerate CPD members who are associated with organizations that call for the overthrow of the federal government,” said Witzburg.