Community commission pushes back on police discipline change

Members of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability blasted a recent arbitrator’s ruling that, if approved by the City Council, would allow for officers accused of serious misconduct to have their disciplinary cases decided behind closed doors.

Earlier this summer, as the city continues to negotiate a new contract with the Fraternal Order of Police, an arbitrator ruled that state law mandates that police officers accused of serious misconduct should have the option to have their cases heard in private. The arbitration award is not yet binding as the City Council hasn’t voted on the contract yet.

“This is not an attack on the Chicago Police Department or an attack on Chicago police officers. In fact, it is my belief that enhanced oversight benefits everyone,” Anthony Driver Jr., leader of the commission tasked with police oversight, said at the group’s monthly meeting late Thursday. “This arbitration decision, if allowed to stand and if subsequently…