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January 17, 2017

Justice Department Finds Rampant Civil Rights Abuses by Chicago Cops
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In Chicago, the Justice Department said Friday that Chicago police
officers routinely violate civil rights, target communities of color
with excessive force and maintain a "code of silence" to stymie
investigations into abuses. Attorney General Loretta Lynch summarized
the findings of a 13-month investigation of the Chicago Police
Department.

Loretta Lynch: "On the basis of this exhaustive review, the Department
of Justice has concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that
the Chicago Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of use of
excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the
Constitution."

The investigation began in December 2015 after the release of a video
showing the death of 17-year-old African American Laquan Mc Donald, who
was shot 16 times in by white police officer Jason Van Dyke. Chicago
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday agreed in principle to negotiate a consent
decree for a federal monitor to oversee the Chicago Police Department.


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