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CHICAGO – City leaders approved a new layer of civilian police oversight Wednesday after years of protests against officer misconduct.
The City Council voted 36-13 to pass
an ordinance calling for the creation of a seven-member Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. The commission will be comprised of people nominated by three-member councils of Chicago's 22 police districts and appointed by the mayor.
For decades, Chicago's police department has been besieged by claims of misconduct and corruption, with many elected officials and civilians alike calling for reforms and new methods to hold police accountable.
Under the ordinance, the commission can vote to remove the police superintendent, but the mayor can reject the recommendation.