Retired black Chicago police want hiring halt

Disgraced Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke has been indicted on six accounts of first-degree murder stemming from the October 2014 shooting death of teenager Laquan McDonald. The horrors of Homan Square are still fresh in the minds of many there; a Guardian investigation earlier this year revealed that Chicago police were running a secret detention and interrogation operation from that site, also under Emanuel’s watch. The intent of the investigation is to take a close look at the use of force by the police department following the release of the video showing the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.

The department has increased the number of African Americans ever since it was forced to do so by a series of federal lawsuits beginning in the 1970s.

Among the many questions federal investigators will answer in a final report: Is there racial bias in the use of force by officers?

Wooten, who now heads Gathering Point Community Council, said he and other black former cops welcome the federal probe, and would offer their help in addressing the department’s challenges. “They go way back”, said Emanuel.

There is no time limit to how long the federal investigation will last. There’s no rush: Investigations of far smaller departments have taken a year to finish and the one into Chicago’s 12,000-officer force could take longer. And do systems that are supposed to hold officers accountable actually work?

After the investigation concludes, a report will be released to the public and from there any reform needed will be mapped out.

Van Dyke’s attorney, Daniel Herbert, said he had not heard about the indictment on Wednesday, but said “it would not come as a surprise”.

The video – released 13 months after the shooting – shows McDonald running down the middle of Pulaski Road near 41st Street when Van Dyke opens fire, hitting the teen 16 times. Emanuel was Obama’s chief of staff from the president’s inauguration until 2010, when he started his mayoral bid in Chicago.

Van Dyke, who was freed on $1.5 million bail November 30 after spending six nights in Cook County Jail, is scheduled to return Friday to the Leighton Criminal Court Building.