Task force report finds systemic racism in Chicago’s police ranks

World Today

Task force report finds systemic racism in Chicago's police ranks

New findings by a task force has revealed systemic racism in Chicago’s police department.

The report calls for sweeping changes to end racism and to hold officials accountable. CCTV America’s Roza Kazan reports.

Whites, African Americans and Hispanics each make up about a third of Chicago’s population. The task force found police here have shot and killed African-Americans at a disproportionately higher rate.

Nearly three quarters of police shooting victims from 2008 to 2015 were black compared to 14 percent Hispanic.

The report called the 2014 killing of a black unarmed teenager Laquan McDonald a tipping point for community anger.

He was shot 16 times allegedly by a white police officer, Jason Van Dyke, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Protesters called on the mayor to resign, accusing him of a cover-up. The police department now has a new superintendent, Eddie Johnson.

The blistering criticism comes as the federal investigation of Chicago police continues and the calls for systemic changes intensify.