Criminal Justice & Public Safety

Armed with guns and badges but little training, civilian officers provide a less-expensive alternative for law enforcement agencies. But problems at some local departments help illustrate a controversial issue shaded by nepotism, politics and questionable policing.

Experts and judges question the quality of fingerprint analysis by Chicago police forensics, hampering prosecutions in burglary and theft cases.

The top lawyers in Illinois and most other states rarely investigate corruption. That’s by design, not political cowardice.

An expert witness hired by the Emanuel administration has disputed in several lawsuits the existence of a code of silence among Chicago police to thwart misconduct allegations. The mayor claimed the opposite in the wake of the Laquan McDonald shooting.

BGA/WBEZ investigation into failed oversight of errant police shootings in Cook County leads to new law forcing investigations.

Legislation passes the Illinois House after a BGA/WBEZ investigation exposed how suburban police were not disciplined despite questionable shootings.

A BGA/WBEZ probe revealed suburban police are never disciplined for shooting people despite dozens of questionable incidents. Legislation to address the problem is meeting little resistance in Springfield but imposes only minor reforms.

Following a BGA/WBEZ investigation, the legislation would require all local police agencies to scrutinize the actions of officers who shoot civilians and, sometimes, fellow police.

Following a BGA/WBEZ investigative series, members of the Illinois black legislative caucus vow a push to mandate reviews of whether officers who shoot citizens violated policies or best practices.

Following a BGA/WBEZ investigation, the hearing would explore ways for the county to provide assistance to the suburbs for training and investigations of police shootings.