OIG report: CPD unprepared for mass gatherings

CHICAGO — A follow-up report to a 2021 review of the Chicago Police Department’s response to civil unrest following George Floyd’s murder was released by the Chicago Office of the Inspector General Thursday, which found CPD to be underequipped and underprepared for large-scale public demonstration.

While the overarching conclusion was that more work needs to be done to prepare CPD to handle mass gatherings surrounding major political events, like the upcoming Democratic National Convention, Inspector General Deborah Witzburg did say good news came from the report.

“The city is better situated in terms of planning, interagency citywide comprehensive planning for these events,” Witzburg said. “We’re in a better place now than in 2020.”

Where improvements still need to happen lay with CPD’s guidance to its officers to ensure consistent messaging, according to the report.

The report also points toward CPD’s Coordinated Multiple Arrest policy, which said the policy draws on outdated crowd control tactics.

CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling rebuked the OIG’s report and defended the preparedness of his officers.

“It’s very inaccurate,” Snelling said. “If you wanna come here, if you wanna protest if you wanna show up and you wanna have your voice heard the Chicago Police Department will protect your rights to do that.

“As long as you’re not engaging in any criminal activity which is not protected by the first amendment.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed optimism as the 2024 DNC fast approaches.

“I’m confident that the work we are doing to secure a peaceful safe energetic convention that that work is ongoing. We’re confident we’ll be prepared and ready when the day comes.”

The Chicago Office of the Inspector General has not returned WGN TV News’ requests for comment on this story.