Chicago's new civilian oversight panel further hinders police officers amid shooting surge, critics say

Critics argue a new plan pushed through by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and city council Wednesday after 11th-hour negotiations to establish a new civilian oversight panel aimed to increase accountability of law enforcement misconduct will only make it harder for Chicago police to do their jobs.

Alderman Anthony Napolitano, who represents the 41st Ward on Chicago’s Far Northwest Side, also criticized the oversight panel, claiming its design will not encourage members of the community to talk to police officers, but instead the added bureaucracy will only make it hard for police to do their jobs. It also will discourage new officers from joining the force, as the department has already struggled to recruit.  "This new committee, this 12th layer of police oversight, is going to make every potential police officer think about going in another direction," Napolitano told the Tribune.